Fort Lauderdale Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

April 28, 2022 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman

According to the Insurance Information Institute, over 12% of drivers in the United States did not have insurance in 2019. In Florida, the percent of uninsured drivers was over 20%. As a driver in Florida, you have probably shared the road with someone with no auto insurance. Having no car insurance complicates the compensation process.

Uninsured coverage gives drivers protection in case they are in an accident with someone with no insurance or if they are in a hit-and-run car accident. Fort Lauderdale uninsured motorist accident lawyers can help you navigate the complex process. Attorneys will typically have an extensive understanding of Florida's auto insurance laws. They can use this knowledge to safeguard your rights if you are in a car crash with an uninsured driver.

Florida Laws on Uninsured Motorist Policy

The state of Florida requires drivers to have a personal injury protection policy to cover them in case of an accident. This kind of policy only covers medical costs and provides benefits in case you suffer a disability. In the event of death, this policy may also provide coverage for expenses.

If you are in a car accident, personal injury protection will cover your medical bills and lost income stemming from injury. However, they will only cover you up to your policy limit. Unlike personal injury protection, uninsured motorist coverage is not legally required by the state of Florida. It is, however, still important to have the policy.

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is Beneficial for You

Uninsured motorist coverage gives you protection from reckless drivers. You may be in a car accident that another person caused. But if they have no liability insurance or flee the scene of the car accident before police arrive, you won't be able to recover damages from their insurance provider. This could leave you in a tough situation.

Uninsured motorist coverage protects you from having to cater to the accident-related expenses yourself. This type of coverage helps ensure that you do not find yourself in financial trouble when an accident was not your fault. Some uninsured motorist policies even cover other members of your home.

This type of coverage is known as a stackable policy. You may not have an uninsured motorist policy, but if you get in an accident with someone with no liability insurance, you can make use of another household member's uninsured motorist policy. This will help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses. A lawyer can help you understand other complex laws surrounding uninsured coverage.

What You Can Recover Under Uninsured Motorist Coverage

After a car wreck, one of the first questions you may wonder what losses compensation will cover. The uninsured motorist policy covers the cost of medical care. Examples of such costs include the cost of medicine, operation, and transport costs to and from the hospital. To help prove medical expenses, you should safeguard all medical bills. 

You may take some time to recover after the accident. This means that you may miss work and, therefore, income. The policy covers lost wages. If you need nursing care for to help you recover, the policy will cover it. The policy may also compensate you for long-term disability or the resultant pain and suffering from your injuries. Your lawyer can help you determine which of these damages you can recover.

There are limits to your uninsured motorist coverage. According to Florida Statute section 627.727(2), you cannot have an uninsured policy limit that is lower than the limit of bodily injury coverage that you own. The statute contains other laws that govern the uninsured policy. A lawyer can help explain how these laws apply to your particular car accident case.

The Process of Recovering Damages Through Uninsured Motorist Coverage

To recover compensation under your uninsured motorist policy, you will have to reach out to your insurance carrier as soon as possible after the crash. When you contact the insurer, you will be able to file a claim. After the insurer has your claim on record, you can begin the process of negotiation.

You also have a limited time to pursue legal action. In Florida, the statute of limitations gives you four years from the time of the accident to file. So, it is in your best interest to act as soon as possible after your car accident. Fort Lauderdale uninsured motorist accident lawyers can start the process soon after you enlist their services. In doing this, they will help safeguard your claim.

When filing a claim, you may want to know where the value of your case lies. An uninsured motorist accident lawyer can help you determine how much your car accident case is worth. The insurance company may try to offer you a lower amount, but your attorney can help you fight for fair compensation.

Investigating Your Uninsured Motorist Car Accident

Our lawyers can help you investigate your uninsured car accident case. An investigation is important in proving that the other driver caused your car wreck and the resulting injuries. Your lawyer can collect witness statements and video footage of the accident. Witness statements will help validate your claim.

During investigations, your lawyer can get access to the police accident report. This report will contain details of how the accident happened and witness statements taken at the scene. The investigations can show that the other driver's negligence resulted in your crash.

To show negligence, your attorney will show that the other person had a duty of care but did not honor it. The insurance company may also conduct investigations into your case. They do this to ensure your claims are valid. A lawyer will ensure that the insurer's conduct is fair and honest.

The Dolman Law Group Can Represent Your Uninsured Motorist Accident Case

Our Fort Lauderdale uninsured motorist accident lawyers can analyze your case to inform you which legal avenues you can pursue. You do not have to pay your accident-related bills if the at-fault party has no car insurance. Dolman Law Group can fight for you with your insurance company to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. 

Call us today for a free consultation and take the first steps towards getting you the compensation you deserve.

Fort Lauderdale Office
150 E Davie Blvd Suite 201-2
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (754) 208-1130

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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