Under Florida law, every motorist must have vehicle insurance but there are still uninsured vehicle and being hit by uninsured driver is possible. In fact, the minimum auto insurance coverage required in Florida is:
- Bodily Injury coverage: $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident
- Property Damage coverage: $10,000 per accident
- Personal Injury Protection: $10,000
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident
Although there are laws put in place, there are still uninsured motorists driving on Florida roads. In 2015, approximately 26.7% of Florida drivers were uninsured. Unfortunately, Florida had the highest percentage of uninsured motorists out of every state. Today, the number of uninsured motorists is still high. That’s why you need to know what to do in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver.
At the Scene of the Accident
It is extremely important that you call the police even if the accident is minor. Filing a police accident report is very helpful when dealing with insurance companies. While at the scene of the accident you should also gather information. If the driver is cooperative, get his or her name and license plate number. Take pictures of both their license plate and driver’s license. It is also important to document the scene of the accident. Take pictures with your phone of the vehicles involved and any street signs that are involved that you are hit by uninsured driver.
After the Accident
Even if the accident is minor and you don’t believe you have serious injuries, it is important to still get examined by a doctor. It is common that symptoms from car crashes do not come on immediately. Delayed pain after injury is common and it is difficult to file a personal injury claim if you never saw a doctor after your accident.
File a Claim with Your Insurance Company
Luckily, Florida is a no-fault insurance state. In the state of Florida, you are required to have uninsured motorist coverage. The money you receive from insurance can be ‘okay’ if the costs from the accident are minimal. This includes treating your injuries and fixing your vehicle.
Seek Damages from the At-Fault Uninsured Motorist
Although Florida is a no-fault insurance state there are certain circumstances that allow an injured party to file a personal injury claim. If your injury is significant and has caused permanent injury you can seek damages by being hit by uninsured driver.
If your injury prevents you from going to work for an extended period of time you can file a personal injury claim for lost wages and lost earning capacity. Lost wages and lost earning capacity are the recoverable damages you are entitled to after an accident. More specifically, lost wages refer to the actual lost work from the time you sustained injuries until your case is resolved. Lost earning capacity is the amount of money you might lose long term. That includes, your hourly wage or salary, benefits, bonuses, and more.
Work with an Experienced Florida Personal Injury Lawyer
If you find yourself in this situation, it is highly recommended to work with one of the many talented Florida personal injury lawyers. Tampa Bay personal injury lawyer Dan Zohar, has 30 years of experience working with personal injury claims and is ready to help you build a strong claim and pursue it aggressively.
To receive a free consultation regarding your case call the Law Office of Dan Zohar PA at 800-963-3311. Our phones are answered 24/7.