When you are in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you may lose hope of getting any compensation for your losses. Fortunately, you may have avenues for compensation available to you through your own insurance company. Getting advice from a Sarasota uninsured car accident lawyer may allow you to understand the forms of legal recourse that are available following an accident in which you have suffered injuries.
Although claims involving uninsured drivers may seem challenging, the lawyers of Ben Crump Law, PLLC, do not shy away from difficult claims. We can work to build a strong claim for compensation on your behalf. Call our office today at (844) 730-0233 and get more information about potential claims for compensation in your situation.
Florida Motor Vehicle Insurance Requirements and PIP
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) requires that you show proof of minimum motor vehicle insurance requirements before you can register a vehicle. More specifically, you must maintain a minimum of $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and a minimum of $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL) coverage. PIP insurance coverage is available to compensate you for some of your expenses when you are injured in a car accident that an uninsured driver has caused.
For a free legal consultation with a uninsured car accidents lawyer serving Sarasota, call (844) 730-0233
Defining PIP Coverage
PIP coverage provides you with compensation when you are in a car accident, no matter who is responsible for the accident. Under PIP policies, you can receive compensation for 80% of your medical expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000, if you receive treatment for an emergency medical condition stemming from your accident.
You also may be eligible to receive 60% of your lost wages if you are unable to work due to your injuries. While you must carry a minimum of $10,000 of this coverage, you can carry higher amounts of coverage.
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Limits on PIP Coverage
Florida Statutes § 627.736 places strict limits on the availability of PIP coverage after you have suffered injuries in a car accident. First, you must seek initial treatment for your injuries within 14 days of the accident. Although you do not need to complete your treatment within that time frame, you must receive at least some treatment. Failure to receive treatment within 14 days can result in you being ineligible for PIP coverage for your medical expenses.
Furthermore, if you receive treatment only for non-emergency injuries, your maximum benefits under PIP are $2,500. If you receive treatment for an emergency medical condition, however, you can claim the maximum payout from your PIP policy, which would be a minimum of $10,000.
Under Florida Statutes § 395.002(8), emergency medical conditions for the purposes of PIP coverage includes all medical conditions with acute and severe symptoms that reasonably could result in any of the following without immediate medical attention:
- Serious jeopardy to patient health
- Serious impairment to major body functions
- Serious dysfunction of any organ or body part
This statute also outlines other emergency medical conditions that exist with respect to pregnant women who are involved in accidents. As long as the injuries that you suffer in the accident meet the criteria, you will be eligible to claim the maximum amount of medical expenses available under PIP.
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Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Although state law does not require you to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, insurance companies must offer this coverage to you when you purchase any other motor vehicle insurance coverage. If you choose not to purchase UM/UIM coverage, then you must reject it in writing.
UM/UIM coverage can be some of the most valuable motor vehicle insurance coverage that you can maintain. This policy provides you with compensation if an uninsured driver causes an accident in which you suffer injuries. You also might receive compensation if a driver has some insurance coverage, but not enough to cover the entire costs of your injuries from the wreck.
When a driver is uninsured, they rarely have the funds or assets to pay for your injuries out of pocket, so filing a lawsuit against the driver may be futile. In this situation, UM/UIM can provide you with benefits. The policy limits of your UM/UIM coverage will be the same or higher than your bodily injury liability coverage. With the help of a Sarasota uninsured car accident lawyer, you can gather the evidence necessary to support your UM/UIM claim.
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Dealing with Your Insurance Company in Uninsured Motorist Claims
When you pay expensive premiums for motor vehicle insurance policies for many years, you expect to receive benefits as a result of those policies when you need them. Insurance companies sometimes offer a settlement before they can accurately assess your losses.
We can help ensure that your claim is complete, your paperwork is correct, and you have provided sufficient documentation to support your claim. With a legal advocate on your side, you can work toward recovering from your injuries while we work on seeking compensation from your insurance company.
Call for Your Free Consultation Today
A Sarasota uninsured car accident lawyer can investigate the circumstances that led to your crash, gather evidence of your losses, and present claims to your insurance company for all forms of compensation that you could qualify to receive. While you work toward your physical and mental recovery, we can negotiate with your insurance company to get compensation for your injuries.
Give the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC a call at (844) 730-0233 and learn more about your options for compensation in the aftermath of a car accident with an uninsured driver. We handle all personal injury claims on a contingency basis, which means that you pay nothing until you get a monetary award for your losses.
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