What Happens if You're Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Brandon?
Being injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence is exceptionally challenging, and if the driver isn’t insured, it adds another layer of difficulty. If your injuries reach Florida’s threshold of severity, you have the right to seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. If they don’t carry the insurance required by law, however, you’re left in the lurch. Our experienced Brandon car accident attorneys at Carman & Finegan are standing by to help.
Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage
While you are not required to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in Florida, you likely do. Your insurance provider is required to offer it, and to reject it, you must sign a waiver. This form of insurance kicks in if you’re injured by a negligent driver who isn’t insured, and the process is very similar to the process for personal injury claims.
Your Legal Damages
To bring a successful UM claim, you’ll need to prove that the other driver’s negligence directly caused you to suffer legal damages, which can include all the following:
- Your related medical bills, including those that extend into the future
- Your lost income and any losses related to your ongoing earning power
- The physical and emotional pain and suffering you endure
Most uninsured motorist claims are settled out of court. Some, however, do proceed to court, and when this is the case in Brandon, they’re heard at the Hillsborough County Courthouse in Tampa.
Stacking UM Coverage
Your UM coverage in Florida can generally be stacked. Stacking coverage means combining coverage limits by the number of cars covered or by the number of policies in the household. This can add up to considerable coverage that may address the full scope of your losses.
Your Personal Injury Protection Policy
All motorists are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in Florida. This kind of coverage applies whether the other driver has insurance or not. Your PIP policy will cover your economic losses up to your policy limits without considering fault. When coupled with your UM coverage, PIP helps create two tiers of protection.
The coverage afforded by PIP includes the following:
- 80 percent of all your necessary medical expenses
- 60 percent of your lost income
Motorists are required to carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage, and your policy limit will cap your compensation. In other words, your PIP policy is much less comprehensive than UM coverage.
Our Experienced Brandon Car Accident Lawyers Are on Your Side
Our dedicated Brandon car accident attorneys at Carman & Finegan are committed to advocating for your rights and for your rightful compensation. The outcome of your claim is important to your future, so please don’t put off reaching out for more information about everything we can do to help by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 813-437-3830 today.