Sarasota Uninsured Motorist Attorney
Florida is the Worst State When it Comes to Uninsured Drivers
The rate of uninsured drivers is staggering in the U.S. and the problem only seems to be getting worse as the years go by, according to CBS News. Florida has the highest rate of uninsured drivers, according to the Insurance Information Institute. It is terrifying to learn that 26.7 percent of drivers—more than one in four people out on the road—do not have any auto insurance. That means that if they hit you and cause a crash, you have no outlet for seeking compensation. You can sue them personally for what little assets they may have, but chances are slim that they have anything of value. Even if they own a home, a judge is not likely to kick them out onto the curb by giving you the deed unless they own multiple properties, in which case they would likely have been insured in the first place. Reach out to an experienced Sarasota uninsured motorist attorney at Hale Law as soon as you can. We are here to help.
Florida’s Personal Injury Protection Law Makes Things Worse
In an effort to “reduce the strain on the courts,” Florida lawmakers, who were undoubtedly swayed by big money donations from insurance lobbyists, unwisely created a system of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) that made it legal for drivers to drive with zero bodily injury liability coverage for other drivers, occupants, and road users. Bodily injury liability covers the other driver or non-occupant victim. PIP only covers one’s own bodily injury (up to a very small amount). Drivers must also purchase property damage liability, which covers the other driver’s property damage (up to a relatively small amount as well). This means that if you get hit by a negligent driver, even if they do have insurance and are driving legally, there still may be nothing for you when it comes to compensation aside from your own PIP coverage and your own UM policy.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage and PIP
Your own PIP coverage will pay for some of your medical bills and lost wages, but for a serious injury this is not even close to enough. Furthermore, PIP does not cover pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, loss of joy of life, emotional distress, or permanent scarring and disfigurement. Your next option for compensation is to pursue your own uninsured motorist policy. An experienced attorney can make sure that you get the most out of your UM policy, as even your own insurance company may put up a fight when it comes to fair and full compensation for your damages.
A Sarasota Uninsured Driver Attorney is a Phone Call Away
You were hit by a driver with insurance. Now what? The answer is to seek legal advice at once. The sooner your attorney begins working on your case, the sooner you can be compensated. To speak to the experienced uninsured motorist personal injury attorneys at Hale Law, call 941-735-4529. We offer consultations at no cost to help set your mind at ease and direct you in the correct path to being made whole.
