In Florida, you are not required to carry uninsured motorist coverage. That being said, there are many scenarios where it could be in your interest to have this coverage. If you find yourself involved in an accident or dispute with an uninsured motorist, it may have to be resolved in the legal system.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage is an insurance provision you can elect as part of your coverage. It offers you compensation if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured third party. While uninsured motorist coverage is not required in Florida, it could still be in your interest to carry this type of insurance.
Your insurance policy may not cover all your damages, so generally, you’d file a claim against the other party’s insurer to receive full coverage. When that’s not possible, uninsured motorist can cover the remaining damages.
If you do not carry uninsured motorist insurance and are in an accident with a party lacking adequate coverage, it is still possible to recover the compensation you deserve. You could file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Injuries, Suffering, and Loss in an Accident
Suffering and loss in an accident can impact your everyday life, and in severe cases, you could be left with long-term suffering. Regardless of the other party having insurance or not, you could be left with serious damages following an accident. In many cases, motor vehicle accident victims experience one or more of the following:
- Physical injuries: Physical injuries in vehicle accidents are common. Some injuries, like bruises, soreness, cuts, scrapes, sprains, and strains can result in a quick recovery. More severe injuries like broken bones and internal injuries can affect your life for months or even years. You deserve fair compensation as an accident victim, and you have legal options despite the other party being uninsured.
- Emotional trauma: Many people do not think about the emotional impact of an accident. A sudden event that changes your life can lead to stress, anxiety, and more. Injuries to the head and neck can additionally impact your mental health.
- Financial loss: Accidents on the road can lead to financial loss in more ways than one. You could lose your car, personal property, or miss out on shifts at work, not to mention medical bills. If you suffered financially in an accident, you can pursue compensation for this.
If you experience loss during an accident, the responsible parties should have insurance to help pay for your damages and loss. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Insurance Should Help You Following Your Accident
Insurance is designed to help you in your time of need. It can feel unfair if you are in an accident and left to pay for damages because you did not have a specific type of coverage. During insurance disputes, you have options to pursue justice if you feel like a decision was unfair.
Examples of Third Party-Liability in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Over two million people are injured each year across the United States, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In most accidents that result in injuries or loss, there are multiple parties involved. Determining who was at fault is a key step. If you were among the injured, there are many ways another party could be directly liable for your accident:
- Drunk driving or operating under the influence of drugs
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Mechanical failures
- Negligence or the failure to drive in a reasonable and safe manner
- Failing to obey traffic laws
- Much more
A lawyer can determine how the accident happened and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
It is bad enough a third party caused your accident. If they are uninsured, it can make things even more difficult as their insurance company can’t help pay for your damages. In cases like these, it could make sense for you to hire a lawyer. They can help you seek justice directly by filing a suit against those responsible.
Should I Hire a Lawyer?
Hiring a lawyer can prove to be helpful in uninsured motorist accident cases in the following ways:
- Lawyers can answer your questions
- They can assist with filling out the seemingly endless paperwork associated with filing a claim and/or lawsuit
- A lawyer can give you a sense of support following a trauma in your life
- They can collect evidence, interview witnesses, and negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf
- They can give you a sense of recoverable compensation
- Lawyers keep you aware of any important deadlines
- A lawyer gives you the comfort of knowing you have legal professionals fighting for you
- Much more
Contact Our Team Today
If you were in an accident with an uninsured motorist and are unsure what to do next, our team at GED lawyers is available to discuss your options during a free consultation. You will learn your best course of action and get your case moving. Contact us today to learn more. Our attorneys are ready to put their years of experience to work for you.
