Hit By an Uninsured Motorist? Robert Sparks Attorneys Can Help.
Every driver in Florida is required to purchase insurance in the event of an accident, but there are many drivers who choose to ignore this law.
Under Florida law, you can seek the following types of accident coverage:
- Personal injury protection: pays $10,000.00 for your medical bills and wages lost regardless of who causes the crash. In essence, this is a small health insurance policy.
- Bodily injury liability coverage: pays money if you have caused a crash that hurt someone else.
- Property damage coverage: pays money if you cause a crash and damage property.
Even for drivers who purchase the required insurance policy, the minimum requirements tend to fall short of the amount that will be needed to cover the cost of an accident. For example, many drivers do not purchase bodily injury liability coverage, which means that you will only have personal injury protection up to $10,000.00 if you are injured in an accident with that driver. For these reasons, it is important to purchase Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage so that you and your family are protected in an accident.
Insufficient Insurance and UIM Policies
Uninsured motorist coverage allows you to pursue compensation when a negligent driver does not have enough insurance or sufficient assets to cover the cost of the damages caused by your accident, called an underinsured motorist (UIM). The extent and severity of your injuries will dictate whether your claim warrants a recovery for uninsured motorist policy limits.
This coverage provides for your medical bills, wage loss, and money for your suffering after the $10,000.00 personal injury coverage has been exhausted and the driver at fault has no insurance or very little insurance. If you have been hit by a driver who had insurance but not enough to cover your damages, you may be able to pursue additional damages under your own underinsured motorist policy.
Florida’s UM Insurance Requirement
All insurance companies in Florida are required to off their clients Uninsured Motorist Coverage. Drivers who choose to opt out of this coverage are required to sign a rejection form that states their awareness of the option and their refusal to buy it. This additional coverage will compensate you for damages that are suffered in a car accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver, or if you have been injured.
Why are Uninsured Motorist claims denied?
Unfortunately, there is a chance that your insurance company will reject your injury claim even if you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage. When an insurance company chooses to deny an Uninsured Motorist claim, the accident victim can be devastated by the crushing costs of medical care, property damage and wages lost during recover.
It is important to identify the exact reason for why the claim was denied, which is generally one of the following;
- Denial of responsibility for the at-fault driver
- Denial that the injuries suffered were caused by the accident
- Denial that the injuries are serious and worth compensation
- Blaming someone else for the accident
Most underinsured and uninsured motorist policies will have the option of stacking coverage, which allows individuals with coverage on more than one vehicle to maximize their insurance coverage by seeking compensation under the coverage for both vehicles.
Tampa Car Accident Lawyer for UM/UIM Claims
Insurance agents commonly tell drivers that they do not need to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, but this is so that they can profit. If possible, you should try to purchase uninsured motorist coverage that is “stacking” and in an amount that is equal to your bodily injury liability coverage. This will insure that your family and those who live with you will also be protected if they are injured in an accident. To learn more about these types of coverage and how they will benefit you in the event of an accident, call today!
