What happens if an uninsured driver crashes my car in Florida?
If an uninsured driver crashes your car, in most cases, your insurance will cover an accident with an uninsured motorist in Florida. Who will pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain when you’re hit by an uninsured driver? The answer depends on many factors, including what kind of auto insurance you have, who was driving, who is at fault, and how many vehicles were involved in the accident.
What is UM/UIM coverage in Florida?
UM/UIM coverage exists to protect drivers and passengers when they are involved in an accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the full amount of the injured person’s losses. UM/UIM coverage is also useful in situations in which the driver who causes a car accident fails to pull over and exchange insurance information (“hit and run”).
What are the benefits of UIM?
In Florida, a no-fault state, drivers are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 worth of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and property damage liability (PDL) coverage to be used in the event of an accident. If you’re involved in an accident, regardless of whose fault it was, your own personal insurance coverage is where you’ll go first for reimbursement. If the other driver does not have insurance and your own PIP policy is insufficient to cover all of your losses (the $10,000 limit may not go very far), you may then file a UM/UIM claim seeking additional compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you have not purchased this coverage, you could be stuck paying for these losses and damages out of your own pocket. Since no two cases are alike, it is important to consult with an attorney about which options are available to you.