Drivers must have auto liability insurance in Florida, but some drivers do not follow the law. When involved in a Port St. Lucie car accident with an uninsured motorist, you may only seek compensation for your injuries by directly suing the uninsured driver.
You could also file a claim with your insurance company, depending on the type of coverage you have. An uninsured motorist accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie, FL, can evaluate your case and explain your options for seeking compensation.
Florida Auto Insurance Laws Can Determine How Much Compensation You Collect
Like many other states, Florida requires all drivers to carry automobile liability insurance. This insurance can cover medical expenses and other costs incurred when the insured driver harms another person due to negligence.
Under Florida Statutes § 27.737, drivers in Florida must carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. This makes it simpler for drivers to get compensation for minor injuries because they do not have to prove fault.
However, PIP plans can:
- Have limits as low as $10,000
- Have deductibles
- Sometimes only cover a percentage of your medical costs or lost wages, leaving you on the hook for the remaining losses
You may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company for the rest of your damages, but what if the driver is uninsured? Your options will then depend on your own insurance coverage.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage Can Help You After a Car Accident
Florida Statutes § 627.727 actually requires insurers to offer you uninsured motorist coverage when you purchase a motor vehicle liability policy. You are not required to carry uninsured motorist insurance, but you must give a written denial to the insurance company.
If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim against your policy following an accident with an uninsured driver. It would be best to use your PIP policy to cover some of your expenses. If you have additional damages, though, you can file an uninsured motorist claim.
Some drivers have uninsured motorist coverage without even realizing it. You may need to review your auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, insurance companies handle uninsured motorist claims similar to all other claims. They require very specific evidence and may deny your claim if you do not meet their requirements.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Could Help You Secure Damages
If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, your other option may be to file a Port St. Lucie personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. Because there is no insurance policy to file against, you will have to sue the other driver individually.
Whether or not you should bring this type of lawsuit will depend on many factors, such as:
- The financial resources available to the other driver
- How serious your injuries from the accident are
- Whether you can find a good personal injury attorney to take the case
- The amount and type of damages you have
Even if you do not know the other driver’s financial situation, you may want to consult with a car accident lawyer to discuss your case. You can expect the attorney to investigate the other driver’s potential resources before deciding whether to take the case.
Compensable Damages You Might Have Suffered in a Florida Car Accident
Once you have a viable claim against either an insurance company or the at-fault driver, you could consider your possible damages. These could include most of the costs associated with your injuries that your PIP policy did not cover.
Some common types of damages for these accidents are:
- Any unreimbursed medical expenses
- The cost of physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Lost wages not covered by your PIP
- Loss of future earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Property damage not covered by a collision policy
- Mental and emotional pain and suffering
Some of these damages have a clear connection to your accident, and others may seem less obvious but are still compensable damages. For example, you could have suffered a permanent disability that forced you to change careers after the accident. This could affect your ability to make a living for the rest of your working years.
Our Team will Take Care of You and Your Family After Your Port St. Lucie Accident
Your lawyer’s goal will be to serve your needs. This includes advocating for you and fairly valuating your losses. Our staff is prepared to accomplish this, as evidenced by our client testimonials:
“He made sure [I] received the care that I deserved and was empathetic even when I was sick and couldn’t go to therapy. He made sure he followed up with me, making sure I was well.” – Stephanie J.-B.
“…an outstanding lawyer with tremendous communication, compassion, and efficiency. He and his team made an unfortunate situation manageable. Thank you Anidjar and Levine… – Tracy P.
“[The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine was] great at addressing and handling the details of my case, while [their] care and concern for my well being personally made a big difference to me. The office and staff were attentive, courteous, and caring…” – Wl P.
WPEC reporting affirms our knowledge that Port St. Lucie families suffer too often from car accidents. If you sustained injuries because of another person’s negligence, we could help. Our lawyers could also help if you lost a family member to the accident. You could file a wrongful death claim to cover losses like funeral costs and your loved one’s medical bills.
Time Limits for Bringing a Port St. Lucie Car Accident Claim
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), you typically have four years to file a negligence lawsuit in Florida. You could consult with an attorney to figure out your legal options and discover loopholes that extend the timeline.
An insurance company can set its own limits for making a notice of a claim. You could miss your chance to file a claim if you do not know about these deadlines and wait too long to make a claim.
Locating evidence shortly after a car accident is often easier than if you wait. Witnesses may forget important details if you wait months or years to get their statements about the incident.
Once you have visited a doctor and received medical treatment, you might start thinking about your legal options and setting up a consultation with a personal injury attorney.
Consult with an Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney’s Team in Port St. Lucie, FL
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our attorneys help injured accident victims seek compensation for their injuries. We represent car accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. So, you will not have to pay any legal fees unless you receive compensation for your losses.
Call us at 1-800-747-3733 to set up a free case evaluation with an uninsured motorist accident lawyer’s firm. If a Port St. Lucie accident hurt you, our car accident lawyers could help you determine your legal options for pursuing compensation.
We Can Help.
