Car Attorney Strategies for Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers in Auto Accidents
Car attorneys use several strategies to seek compensation after accidents involving uninsured and underinsured drivers. You can pursue compensation through your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage or uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against liable parties.
Cases involving uninsured and underinsured motorists can be more complicated than most. Having a car accident attorney handle your case can take the stress off your shoulders while you focus on your health.
Strategies for Seeking Compensation After an Accident with an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist
Your car accident attorney will explain your options for seeking compensation after your auto accident, and those strategies may include:
A Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Claim
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) explains that every motorist in Florida must purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Regardless of who causes an auto accident, PIP coverage should pay for 80% of all “necessary and reasonable” medical expenses.
However, PIP coverage caps out at $10,000 if you purchase the minimum amount of coverage. If you purchase more than $10,000 in coverage on your insurance policy, the amount that you purchase will serve as the cap for your PIP-specific insurance payout.
An Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Cliam
If you were in an uninsured driver accident or underinsured motorist accident, your attorney can file a UM/UIM claim on your behalf. However, you must know that UM/UIM coverage is:
- Not mandatory in Florida, so your Boynton Beach car accident lawyer will review your policy to determine if you have access to this coverage type
- Subject to coverage limits, as are most types of auto insurance coverage
- Only applicable to certain types of accident-related losses
Your Miami car accident lawyer will explain whether UM/UIM coverage applies to you. There are different types of UM/UIM coverage, so your lawyer will explain all the relevant details of your policy.
Underinsured motorist claims and uninsured motorist claims are meant for circumstances like yours. However, all of your Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer insurance coverage may not be enough to cover your accident-related damages.
A Lawsuit
Our Florida car accident attorneys know the available legal strategies for uninsured drivers, and we will identify the legal strategy that most suits your circumstances. Filing a lawsuit may be the right strategy for you if:
- Your PIP insurance coverage is not sufficient to cover your accident-related damages.
- You do not have UM/UIM coverage, or this coverage is not sufficient to cover your accident-related damages.
- Liable insurance companies do not negotiate in good faith or offer the settlement you deserve.
- Other circumstances lead you to file a lawsuit against liable parties.
Your lawyer will explain who you should file a lawsuit against. The uninsured or underinsured motorist may be the defendant named in your lawsuit, though they may not be the only defendant.
Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney After a Collision with an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist?
You can handle your claim or lawsuit on your own, but there are benefits to hiring a car accident lawyer, such as the following:
- Insurance claims and lawsuits are immensely complicated, and a lawyer’s can act as your advocate
- A lawyer will handle every step of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- The law firm you hire will cover the entire cost of your claim or lawsuit, only receiving a fee if it wins your case.
When a case involves an uninsured or underinsured motorist, it could require more time and effort. A lawyer can inform you of your legal options and tailor a strategy to suit your particular situation.
Damages Your Attorney Will Seek Compensation For
Your attorney will assess your accident-related damages when crafting settlement demands. They may seek compensation for:
- Accident-related medical bills
- Your pain and suffering
- Treatment for pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Diminished earning power
- Property damage (including the repair or replacement of your car)
- Temporary transportation costs
Each motor vehicle accident causes different damages. Your attorney and their team will make a detailed record of your damages and determine the cost of your accident. Then, your car accident attorney will seek fair compensation from insurers, the uninsured or underinsured motorist, and any other liable parties.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Today for Your Free Car Accident Consultation
A Miami personal injury lawyer from our team can help you navigate an uninsured or underinsured car accident case. Act quickly because you only have two years to file a lawsuit. If you miss the case’s filing deadline, you may not be able to seek the compensation you deserve. Do not wait to speak with us. We are always available to take your call. Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today at (954) 633-8270 for your free consultation.
