Car accidents are already stressful, but learning that the other driver doesn’t have insurance can make the situation even worse. In many of these situations, uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage provides the most realistic path to financial recovery. An accident attorney in Lakeland, FL can help you navigate the insurance system and fight for compensation.
About Uninsured Drivers in Florida
Data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) shows that thousands of drivers across the state carry little or no insurance coverage. In Polk County alone, a significant percentage of registered drivers are uninsured or underinsured. A 2023 report from the Insurance Information Institute (III) ranks Florida seventh in the nation for the highest percentage of uninsured drivers.
Because uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Florida is optional, many accident victims are left without adequate compensation after a serious crash.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work?
Florida’s relatively low insurance requirements and costly deductibles mean that many Lakeland drivers carry only minimal coverage or none at all. Underinsured/uninsured motorists policies give victims a path for seeking compensation for their injuries and losses.
An underinsured driver is someone whose insurance policy does not provide enough coverage to fully compensate you for your injuries and losses. An uninsured driver, on the other hand, may carry no coverage at all. While uninsured drivers may face penalties under Florida law, those consequences do nothing to help injured victims pay for their losses.
Without UM/UIM coverage, your options may be quite limited. If you have this form of coverage, here are some things you need to know:
Stacked and Non-Stacked
When reviewing UM/UIM policies, Florida drivers may be given the option to choose between stacked and non-stacked coverage:
- Stacked UM coverage allows policy limits to be combined across multiple vehicles or policies within the same household, offering greater overall protection.
- Non-stacked coverage has lower limits because it cannot be combined with other UM policies in the household.
UM Coverage and Hit-and-Run Accidents
Florida drivers are no strangers to accidents where someone flees the scene of the crash. From 2015 through 2026, the state recorded more than one million hit-and-run crashes, resulting in thousands of serious injuries and fatalities.
In many hit-and-run cases, the at-fault driver is never identified or cannot be held financially responsible. Even when the driver is later located, they often lack insurance coverage. If this happened to you, your UM or UIM policy can help you recover damages. Make sure that you report this hit-and-run as soon as possible to support your claim for damages.
Is UM Only Available to Drivers?
Uninsured motorist coverage is not limited to crashes that occur while you are driving a car. In many cases, UM/UIM coverage follows the insured person, not just the vehicle listed on the policy.
If you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver while walking or as a passenger in another car, UM coverage can still apply. Certain family members or household residents may also be covered, depending on the policy terms. A Lakeland personal injury lawyer can help determine how coverage applies in these situations.
How Much Is a UM Claim Worth?
The value of an uninsured motorist claim in Florida depends on:
- Injuries and the cost of current and future medical treatment
- Lost income and earning ability
- Pain and suffering and emotional losses
- UIM/ UM policy limits
- Coverage limits offered by other auto policies
- Any disputes over fault and assignment of blame
- The strength of evidence
Because insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts, having an attorney review your coverage and damages can help ensure your claim is properly valued.
What Auto Insurance Does Florida Require?
Uninsured motorist coverage is not the first layer of coverage after an accident in Florida. State law requires drivers to carry limited forms of auto insurance, which often falls short when injuries are severe.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
PIP is a “no-fault” system where injured drivers turn to their own coverage first, regardless of who caused the crash. Standard PIP coverage offers:
- 80 percent of medical expenses up to $10,000
- 60 percent of lost income and lost earning capacity
- The cost of replacement services, like cooking and cleaning expenses
- Death benefits up to $5,000
PIP coverage is designed to address minor injuries and provide quick access to benefits. However, it only covers reasonable and necessary medical expenses and does not compensate for pain and suffering.
Property Damage Liability (PDL)
Property damage liability coverage helps pay for damage a driver causes to another person’s vehicle or property, such as a fence or building. The state-required minimum of $10,000 may be quickly exhausted in many collisions.
Additional Optional Auto Coverages
In addition to required coverage and UM/UIM policies, Florida drivers may choose to purchase other optional insurance, including:
- Bodily Injury Liability (BIL): This helps cover injuries caused to others.
- Collision: A collision policy can offer additional coverage if you hit another vehicle.
- Medical Payments (MedPay): MedPay can help cover medical expenses not covered by PIP.
Drivers who carry only the minimum required insurance may find themselves paying out of pocket when an accident involves serious injuries caused by an uninsured driver.
Common Challenges in Uninsured Motorist Claims
Approval for UIM/UM claims is not automatic. Insurers will carefully review your claim and may:
- Argue that you were partially or fully at fault
- Downplay the severity of your injuries
- Question whether certain medical treatment was necessary
- Rely on policy exclusions or technical requirements to limit compensation
- Delay the process or demand extensive documentation
In some cases, insurers may also fail to handle a claim fairly or in good faith. Dealing with these issues while recovering from an accident can be overwhelming, and Florida car accident lawyers can help protect your interests when pursuing compensation.
Let Us Help You After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver in Lakeland
Let our team review your available auto insurance policies and make sure your uninsured/underinsured motorist plans are accounted for when seeking a payout. Contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Provato now for a free consultation.