The costs of recovering from a car accident start racking up at the crash scene. If you suffered severe injuries, you can seek to recover your costs from the at-fault driver and their insurance provider. However, if the driver did not have insurance or fled the scene, you may not know where to turn for compensation.
A car accident lawyer can help you understand how to shield yourself from further financial harm. A accident lawyer serving injured clients in Fort Lauderdale can describe the essential role of uninsured motorist coverage. Most will represent you at no cost and help you tap into your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage or seek further compensation from your insurance provider.
Fort Lauderdale Auto Insurance Essentials and Requirements
All registered vehicle owners must carry auto insurance. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), insurance minimums include at least $10,000 in PIP insurance, which should pay many of your immediate car accident-related medical expenses.
Each driver must also carry a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability per accident. Uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage is optional in Florida, but your insurer must offer it to you. If you accepted UM or UIM coverage, your car accident attorney serving Fort Lauderdale will leverage its benefits when you need them.
Uninsured Driver Risks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Shielding yourself from uninsured drivers is important for more than its financial implications. Additional risks of being hit by an uninsured (or underinsured) driver include:
- Your damages will fall onto your shoulders financially
- If your insurer pays to repair your car, you could face rising insurance premiums
- You could face a long and costly court battle if you sue the uninsured driver
- Recovering from your injuries and being unable to return to work can mean financial disaster for you and your family
Uninsured motorist coverage can help you avoid financial strain because of another driver’s negligence.
Nearly 16% of Motorists on Florida’s Roads Are Uninsured
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Florida ranks in the top 15 states with the highest number of uninsured drivers. As of 2022, nearly 16% of drivers in the state do not have insurance.
To seek third-party compensation for an accident in Fort Lauderdale, you must meet the state’s serious injury threshold. If your injuries are severe enough to qualify, you could incur significant medical bills and costly changes to your life while you recover. Your personal injury lawyer can help you avoid this outcome by tapping into your UM protection.
File a Police Report Even if the Other Driver Fled the Scene
according to Florida Statutes § 316.066, a car accident report is mandatory if the wreck caused injuries, death, or significant vehicle damage. If the accident was a hit and run or the at-fault driver did not have insurance, a police report can protect you.
It will document the accident’s causes and contributing factors and note witness contact information and observations. Your personal injury attorney will obtain your police accident report for your case file.
What Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pays for After an Accident in Fort Lauderdale
The importance of uninsured motorist coverage cannot be overstated due to the protection from financial upheaval it provides. UM covers all the same types of financial compensation you would receive from a third-party claim, including the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Current and future medical bills
- Current and future lost wages
- Property damage or loss
- Disability and disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
Your accident lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale will document your potential compensation and file an accident claim according to your insurer’s policy. They will also negotiate on your behalf and fight hard for the best possible financial recovery for you.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Will Cover Some of the Accident’s Costs
Unlike uninsured motorist coverage, PIP is mandatory for Florida drivers. No matter who was at fault for the accident, PIP will cover up to 80% of your accident-related medical expenses and up to 60% of your income losses, per Florida Statutes § 627.736.
How to File an Uninsured Motorist Claim With Your Insurance Company
Filing an insurance claim can be a time-consuming process. When you file a claim for another driver’s negligence, the insurance adjuster will investigate the accident and look for ways to subrogate their costs. The claims filing process typically involves:
- Collecting as much information as possible
- Describing your injuries accurately
- Describing your financial losses accurately
- Taking photos and video, if possible
- Filing and obtaining a police report
- Tracking your injuries and their costs
- Reporting the accident to your insurer
Consider hiring a personal injury law firm to represent you. Your lawyer will clarify each step of your claim. They will also stand by your side, fight for fair compensation, and protect you from a speedy settlement or lowball offer.
Why You Might Want an Auto Accident Lawyer to Help You Seek Damages From Your Insurance Provider
When you file an insurance claim with your insurance company, you could attempt to handle it on your own. However, there are benefits to having a lawyer manage your claim.
While you are not required to hire a lawyer after an accident and might think you do not need one when the only insurer involved is yours, your insurance company will have its bottom line in mind when handling your claim. Conversely, your car accident attorney will have your best interests in mind and fight hard to protect your right to fair compensation.
Get Support for Your Uninsured Motorist Claim in Florida
If you were involved in a hit and run accident or hit by a driver with no insurance, our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers can help you seek compensation from your insurance company. Shielding you in times like this is the essential role of uninsured motorist coverage in Fort Lauderdale.
Contact our consultation team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato to start pursuing compensation today. Call (954) 633-8270 for your free case review.
