Getting compensated for your injuries after a car accident can be complicated, but uninsured motorist coverage makes it easier. There are multiple types of insurance available in Florida. To understand why you need uninsured motorist coverage, you must first understand personal injury protection (PIP). Florida requires all drivers to carry $10,000 of PIP coverage, a type of insurance that pays for the cost of your injuries up to $10,000, regardless of who was at fault in a vehicle accident.
Unfortunately, many people drive without insurance or with very minimal policies. This can mean that the cost of your injuries far exceeds the amount of insurance coverage available. The solution to this problem is uninsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage pays claims for bodily injury and lost wages when other insurance isn’t available to pay those costs. It covers vehicle accidents with uninsured drivers as well as with underinsured drivers. Without uninsured motorist coverage, you could find yourself in the hospital and out of work, stuck with all the medical and out-of-pocket costs after the first $10,000.
Luckily, Florida law requires uninsured motorist coverage to be included with all policies sold in the state, unless the driver specifically rejects the coverage. While it is your right to refuse this coverage, you should be aware that it protects you and your family, even when you are a pedestrian or traveling in another vehicle. Getting all of the benefits you are entitled to can be a complicated process, but our attorneys can help.
Drivers who elect to decline uninsured motorist coverage (UM), still have rights. In fact, claims against at-fault drivers are still available for property and bodily damage. These claims are resolved through the legal system, which can mean lawsuits and the possibility of a trial. Accident claims are often extremely complex, requiring determinations of fault and proof of injury. Legal cases can take years to resolve. While the lawyers at Largey Law are experienced at helping accident victims get the money they deserve, it is much easier to elect to purchase UM coverage before you are ever in an accident.
Whether you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage or not, contact an experienced Citrus County car accident lawyer who will work to get you any damages you are entitled to under the law. You can reach us online.
