Have you recently experienced a car accident in Pompano Beach and talked to the other driver only to find that they do not have insurance? You should not be surprised to be involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. The Sunshine State has strict requirements for all motorists to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) of at least $10,000. However, around a fifth of all motorists do not carry adequate insurance.
You might be wondering what you can do to seek reparations. Car accident cases come with several complications, and they only get worse if you are dealing with an uninsured or underinsured driver. You might begin to feel overwhelmed thinking about having to deal with all the financial burden of the property damage and medical bills, especially if the other motorist was responsible for causing the crash.
It is exactly the reason why it is a good idea to have uninsured motorist coverage. You might have heard of the PIP and PDL coverage if you are a responsible driver, but not many people know about uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
This post will help you understand what it is and how working with the right Pompano Beach car accident lawyers can help you get a desirable outcome for your auto accident case.
What Exactly Is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
UM coverage is an insurance policy designed to give you financial protection in case you experience a car accident with a driver who does not have adequate coverage themselves. Suppose that you were involved in a car accident with such a driver, and they do not have enough insurance to cover all the damages you have incurred due to their fault. In that case, UM coverage can ensure that you can become financially whole again.
UM coverage in Florida is not mandated by the Sunshine State. However, it could be more than worth your while to spend an additional $70 to $75 each year for this coverage. Many Florida motorists also carry collision coverage with their mandatory PIP and PDL insurance policies, thinking that it will be more than enough.
Unfortunately, that insurance policy might not cut it if the other driver involved in the accident has no insurance. The policy can help you recover the cost of repairs for your damaged vehicle, but it will make no dent in the medical bills. Adding collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage can help you recover all the damages and become financially whole again – even if the other driver has zero insurance coverage.
How Does This Type Of Insurance Work?
The medical bills can become exorbitant after experiencing a car accident. Paying out-of-pocket for everything can ruin your financial situation and create more problems besides the injuries themselves. Adding UM coverage to your insurance policy can help you cover several things after experiencing a car accident with a driver who does not have enough coverage, including:
- Medical expenses
- Medical equipment and assistance
- Pain and suffering damages
- Coverage for lost wages
- Disability coverage
- Short and long-term nursing care costs
- Death
Florida’s Pure Comparative Rule
The Sunshine State follows a no-fault rule which considers all the parties involved in auto accidents to share the blame for causing the accident. However, the drivers involved do not share the blame equally. The pure comparative rule implies that there is a certain percentage of the blame assigned to both motorists after determining the details of the case. Any damages rewarded as a result of the case are split between the parties based on determining their corresponding portion of being at fault for causing the accident.
What Should I Do If I Am In An Accident With An Uninsured Driver?
One of the foremost things you should do after experiencing an accident is to call the authorities to the scene and stay there. You should collect information from the other driver and wait for the police to arrive, investigate the situation, and file a report. Make sure to report if there are any injuries when informing the authorities so emergency medical services can arrive and provide care for injured parties.
Provided that you have UM coverage, you do not need to panic when exchanging information with the other driver, and they tell you that they are underinsured or do not have insurance at all. Note down their name and contact information. After that, you should document the accident scene, taking pictures and videos of the property damage and your injuries. The visual proof will come in handy when filing a claim with your insurance company.
You should also contact an attorney before informing the insurance company about the accident. There is no harm in speaking to your insurance company right away. However, you need to know the dos and don’ts of talking to insurance adjusters if you have never filed a claim before.
Saying the wrong things to your insurance adjuster after an accident can result in you harming your claim without realizing it. Talking to a lawyer and getting their legal advice before talking to your insurance adjuster can prevent you from making critical mistakes.
Consider Talking To Experienced Pompano Beach Car Accident Lawyers Today
Auto accident cases involve so many factors, and Florida’s complex personal injury law does not make things any easier. Dealing with all the complexities of an auto accident case where there is a driver without adequate coverage involved can make your life more stressful, especially if you do not have the right legal representation.
If you have recently experienced an auto accident where there is a driver without enough coverage, your mind might be racing with thoughts of what you can do. Consider contacting Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers to increase your chances of getting your due compensation without worrying about how to handle the legal proceedings.
Their team of Pompano Beach car accident lawyers specialize in personal injury law and understand all the ins and outs of auto accident cases, especially those involving under or uninsured drivers. You can rest assured that they will do everything possible to get you the most favorable outcome for your case and help you become financially whole again.
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