Uninsured Motorist Accidents

Knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers Helping Accident Victims Recover Through Their Own Insurance Policies

Getting into a car or truck accident immediately interrupts your life and often results in sky-high medical bills. If the at-fault driver has ample insurance coverage, you may be able to recover compensation for all your accident-related expenses by filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. However, what happens if your damages exceed the policy limit of the at-fault driver’s policy?

At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., we have over 20 years of experience helping accident victims navigate the complex insurance system to secure maximum compensation for their injuries. We command an impressive knowledge of the Florida insurance requirements and know where to look to find coverage that ensures our clients don’t end up on the hook for medical bills and other expenses caused by another driver’s negligence.

What Percentage of Florida Drivers are Uninsured?

Given Florida’s lax insurance requirements, one would expect that the vast majority of drivers would comply and purchase qualifying insurance policies. However, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, as of January 2023, a shocking 6.18 percent of all Florida drivers are uninsured. That’s almost one million motorists driving without insurance. And millions of other drivers purchase only the bare minimum coverage amount.

What Are Florida’s Car Insurance Requirements?

Florida requires anyone who registers a vehicle to purchase car insurance. However, compared to other states, Florida’s car insurance requirements are lax and only require drivers to obtain the following coverage:

  • $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP coverage); and
  • $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL coverage).

PIP insurance covers 80 percent of an insured’s medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault. PIP also provides up to 60 percent of an accident victim’s lost wages, up to the policy limit. In the case of a fatal car accident, PIP also allows for up to $5,000 in funeral and burial expenses.

PDL insurance covers the cost of damage to others’ property after an accident that you caused.

Does Florida Require Bodily Injury Liability Coverage?

No, there is no requirement that Florida drivers purchase Bodily Injury Liability coverage. However, Bodily Injury Liability insurance is the primary source of coverage for accident victims who are seriously injured in a collision caused by another driver. So, if another driver causes an accident and your damages exceed $10,000, you’ll max out your PIP coverage. Then what?

If you don’t have underinsured motorist protection, you can try to sue the driver individually, but what if they don’t have enough assets to cover your expenses?

What Happens in the Case of Uninsured Motorist Accidents?

If another driver who does not have insurance causes an accident, your PIP coverage will kick in. However, that may only cover up to $10,000 in damages. Thus, many people involved in uninsured motorist accidents find that they are left paying for the remaining expenses. However, if you have uninsured motorist protection, you can file a claim with your own insurance company, and they will cover the difference.

For this reason, Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys highly recommend that all drivers purchase both underinsured motorist protection and uninsured motorist protection. That way, regardless of whether the other driver is insured or what their policy limits are, you’ll be covered.

Speak with an Attorney Who Understands Uninsured Motorist Accidents

If you’ve been involved in a Fort Lauderdale car accident and learned that the other driver didn’t have insurance or carried only the bare minimum coverage, it’s a good time to reach out to the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. At our personal injury law firm, our lawyers have over 20 years of experience navigating the complex—and often frustrating—insurance system. We are often able to find insurance policies that cover our clients’ injuries, greatly increasing the compensation that is available to them.

To learn more, and to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today, call (800) 602-5000. You can also reach us through our online contact form. We represent clients throughout South Florida through four conveniently-located offices in Miami Gardens, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville.