The stress of a car accident is exacerbated when the other driver doesn’t have the insurance they are legally required to have. Despite Florida’s laws requiring motor insurance, nearly 27% of Florida drivers drive uninsured. This situation increases the liability of everyone on Florida’s roads and can leave you with few options, especially if your injuries are severe.
If you’re in an accident with a driver that doesn’t have insurance, you should wait for the authorities to arrive and take a report of the accident. One thing you’ll want to pay attention to is if the driver was operating their vehicle under the orders of an employer, as this may help you find alternative sources of financial recovery.
In any case, enlisting the help of a skilled Tampa car accident attorney is one of the best ways to make sure you explore every angle when looking for compensation for your accident. If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, Steinger, Green & Feiner can help you. Call us for a free consultation at (813) 553-5352 and we can get started on your case today.
Paying for Your Expenses After a Tampa Car Accident With an Uninsured Driver
Due to their no-fault system, Florida law requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This insurance will cover up to $10,000 per person in an accident, depending on the severity of the injuries and illness associated with the crash.
If your medical provider determines that you’re not severely injured, only $2,500 is accessible to cover medical expenses. Lost wages for time away from work due to a car accident are also covered under this insurance. This insurance will kick in even if the other driver is totally uninsured.
Unfortunately, this insurance’s cap means that if you’re seriously injured and have medical expenses over $10,000, you may struggle to find financial compensation that suits your needs. In these cases, you need a backup plan.
Supplemental Insurance
If you have Medpay, it may cover portions of your medical fees that are not covered by PIP, but usually not a huge amount, especially if your injuries are particularly bad.
Many insurance companies offer Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage to add on to your normal plan. This is usually a safe option in Florida due to the extremely high rate of uninsured drivers on the road.
You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible if you believe the other driver in an accident is uninsured. Though your PIP will cover minor injuries and therapies, serious injuries will often need treatment that goes beyond the threshold your personal insurance is responsible for.
Seeking Damages from the Uninsured Driver
Usually, if a driver is uninsured, they may have a strained financial situation. This makes it difficult to seek restitution from them in court due to their lack of assets. Even if they are personally wealthy, they may not have enough liquid income to compensate you for all of your damages, even under a court order.
Unfortunately, suing someone without insurance usually isn’t a good option if you’re in a Florida accident, but the optimal strategies available will depend on the specifics of your situation.
Seeking Damages from Another At-Fault Party
In some cases, it may be possible to identify another party that can be assigned responsibility in an accident. For instance, in Tampa truck accidents, the employer of the driver can be held liable for certain damages. Other cases may include taxis or other private vehicles.
In any of these situations, bringing in a third-party company or organization is likely to add complexity to your case and is a good indication that legal assistance from a skilled Tampa car accident attorney may help.
Help from a Trusted Tampa Accident Attorney
Steinger, Greene & Feiner have been helping victims of car accidents win cases like yours since 1997. We understand the frustrations and fears that come with a bad car accident. Rather than continue down this road alone, we want to offer a helping hand when dealing with the repercussions of a Florida accident with an uninsured driver.
We can schedule a free consultation today, at no risk to you. Call us at (813) 553-5352 and we will get working on your case as soon as possible.