Florida Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a traffic accident in Florida, you need to talk to an experienced Florida motor vehicle attorney right away. If you make the wrong move or wait too long to act, you can lose your right to compensation. A free consultation with one of the Florida auto accident attorneys profiled on this website will let you know if you have a case and what the next steps are for you to protect your legal right to the money you need and deserve.
No-Fault Law
Florida is one of 12 no-fault auto accident states. Florida drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance which will pay up to a certain amount for their own injuries, even if the other driver was at fault. PIP benefits are very limited, will only cover a percentage of your economic damages, no more than 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost income, and only up to the policy limit you have purchased. Most drivers purchase the minimum of $10,000. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering are not covered.
The no-fault law bars Florida traffic accident victims from suing the at-fault driver unless the injuries are serious. If you have suffered permanent injuries or significant disfigurement you can pursue full compensation from the other driver, including compensation for you pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.
Whenever possible, the insurance company will claim that your injuries do not meet the requirements to justify a lawsuit under Florida law. An experience Florida car accident attorney can determine if you have a case and stand up to the insurance company for you.
Uninsured Motorists and Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run and uninsured motorist accidents have one thing in common. They leave injury victims holding the bag when it comes to expenses and losses. There is always the chance that a hit-and-run driver will eventually be identified and located, but lacking legally required liability insurance is one of the most common reasons that drivers flee the scene of an accident.
It is not a hopeless situation. There are several potential avenues of compensation. You may have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage included in your own insurance policy. You are not required to purchase it, but the insurance company is required to offer it with each policy. Unless you opted out of the coverage, in writing, you should have UM coverage. You may have other insurance policies that will pay for your injuries. If you were a passenger, you may be covered by the driver’s UM policy or by a family member’s policy.
The uninsured or unknown driver may not be fully responsible for your injuries. If a defective vehicle or defective roadway caused or contributed to your accident or injuries, you may be able to recover substantial compensation for your injuries without an at-fault driver’s insurance to tap into.
If you have been injured in a traffic accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash in Florida, please browse our directory of car accident lawyers and schedule a free consultation.