« All FAQ About Auto Accidents

What happens if an uninsured driver hits me?

Picture this: You’re sitting in your vehicle at a stoplight, patiently waiting for it to change to green. You notice a car in front of you, a car behind you, and one on either side of you. Out of those four vehicles, chances are, one is uninsured and the others may be underinsured, meaning they only carry the minimum required by Florida law. You have no idea which it is, and any of them could be the one that causes an accident up the road. What does this mean for you, who may not have the proper insurance to cover the costs accrued after the accident?

Taking a Gamble on Florida Roads

The scenario mentioned above is just one reason a recent study places Florida at the top of the list for having the worst drivers in the entire nation. In fact, millions of drivers in our state are uninsured— 23% of the driving population, to be exact. That means you’re taking a gamble every time you take to our roadways. Floridians also Google “speeding tickets” and “traffic tickets” more than any other state. Not so reassuring, is it?

What Happens If An Uninsured Driver Hits Me?

The answer to that question depends on your insurance policy. While not required by Florida law, we highly recommend adding Uninsured Motorist (also referred to as Underinsured Motorist) coverage to your policy if you don’t have it already. UM insurance is what you should consider thanks to those drivers who fail to buy any insurance or carry only the minimum required by law. It allows you to make a claim against your own policy if someone without coverage hits you. UM will help pay your medical bills, pain and suffering, disability, and some other costs. Unfortunately, if an uninsured driver hits you and you do not carry UM, there is very little you or an attorney can do to make a financial recovery. You may be left paying those mounting medical bills out of your own pocket.

In short, UM coverage is extremely important to consider. We get calls nearly every day from people who were hit by uninsured or underinsured drivers. All too often they don’t have UM coverage and are unable to recover the money necessary to help pay for things like treatment and lost wages. When it comes to your health and safety, don’t roll the dice hoping for a positive outcome. Instead, take charge and do everything you can to protect yourself from the worst drivers in the country.
If you were injured by another driver, call your us at 1-888-345-5849 for a free consultation. Our Tampa Bay car accident attorneys know the ins and outs of working with insurance companies to get the the financial compensation you deserve after an accident, and we will even go to trial if necessary.

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No.  Whether a ticket is issued, to whom it is issued, and what that person does with the ticket, i.e., pays it, disputes it, etc., is all inadmissible in court.  It is only the testimony of the parties involved and witness testimony, if applicable, that will be considered by the court in determining who is… read more?

How do I get a rental car after a car accident?

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Do I have to talk to my insurance company after getting in a car accident?

Yes, but before you talk to an insurance company or agree to do a recorded statement, please contact us first so we can advise you of your legal rights. An insurance company can refuse to provide you benefits if you are not complying with your policy. This is why it is important to speak to… read more?