Florida has a higher auto accident rate than many other states. This is one of the reasons that the state has a no-fault system for auto insurance and auto accidents. Under Florida’s no-fault system, a person involved in an accident must first file a claim with his or her own insurance company to recover compensation— regardless of who caused the accident. In furtherance of its no-fault system, Florida requires drivers to purchase a minimum amount of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which compensates injured drivers for a certain amount of medical bills and lost wages. Unfortunately, however, some drivers ignore this requirement and drive without insurance. In this article, we discuss what to do following an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Your Options Following a Crash with an Uninsured Driver
Seeking financial compensation following an auto accident with an uninsured driver can be a challenge. However, it isn’t impossible to receive compensation for your injuries. Options available following an accident with an uninsured driver include:
Sue the Other Driver
Following an accident with an uninsured driver, you can sue him or her directly to obtain money for damages. Unfortunately, though, many drivers choose to forgo insurance because they can’t afford it. Therefore, it’s possible that the at-fault driver may not have enough money or assets to compensate you for your losses.
Negotiate with Your Insurer
As discussed above, your PIP insurer is responsible for paying for your damages following a car accident — even if the accident involved a driver without insurance. However, insurance companies often undervalue or deny claims to maximize their profits, leaving accident victims forced to fend for themselves. However, when you hire an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you following an accident, he or she will negotiate with your insurer to ensure that you obtain a fair settlement for your injuries.
Go to Court
Finally, if your insurer refuses to compensate you fairly after a crash with an uninsured driver, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the company. If your case is successful, the court will award you damages for your losses stemming from the accident.
Contact a Pensacola Lawyer
Cases involving uninsured drivers in the state of Florida can be extremely complicated. Therefore, after an accident with an uninsured motorist, you should contact an experienced attorney immediately. At Staples, Ellis + Associates, P.A., our experienced attorneys are here to fight for your right for financial compensation. Located in Pensacola, Florida, Staples, Ellis + Associates, P.A., provides legal representation to auto accident victims in Northwest Florida and Escambia, Walton, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa Counties. When you come to us for help following a wreck with an uninsured driver, we will do everything we can to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Posted in: Auto Accidents