Ideally (and legally), all vehicles on our roads should have valid auto insurance policies and there are plenty of laws to that respect even in Florida. However, there is always a disconnect between what the law states and what actually happens. For instance, in Florida, 1 in every 4 drivers are uninsured, which is not only against state law, but also an added risk to victims of accidents involving these drivers.
Indeed, if you get caught up in an accident involving an uninsured driver in Florida, your legal chances of getting compensation are very limited. It is thus advisable to work with a credible uninsured motorist accident attorney to increase your chances of successful litigation.
Compensation for Medical Expenses For Injuries Caused By Uninsured Drivers
If you suffer an injury from the negligent actions of an uninsured driver, you can seek compensation through the following means:
- File a claim on your Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC) policy
- Seek damages from your personal auto insurance cover
- Sue the negligent driver
Notably, none of the 3 scenarios are guaranteed to be easy, or successful as both the other driver and the involved insurance companies will be looking for all kinds of excuses not to pay you. Even worse, the uninsured driver may not even have the money to compensate you, which would lay to waste all your litigious efforts. Nonetheless, you can boost your chances of getting a decent package by involving a skilled car accident attorney in your suits.
What Is an Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC) Policy?
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC) is basically an extra policy option offered by insurance companies to motorists to provide additional cover in case they are involved in accidents that are 100% caused by uninsured drivers. In Florida, insurance providers are mandated to offer UMC to their clients, although many drivers opt to forego it to avoid additional monthly costs. Having a UMC policy would make you eligible for compensation for the following items:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Damage to the vehicle and other properties
- Funeral expenses
Can Your Car Insurance Policy Help?
If you didn’t have a valid UMC policy at the time of your accident, you can still seek compensation for the same from your auto insurer. However, you may not be compensated to the tune you deserve as general auto insurers only pay for collision damage and reject claims for medical expenses and other deductible costs in cases that involve uninsured drivers.
Can You Sue An Uninsured Driver for Your Medical Expenses?
Short answer; yes.
Long answer; while it is perfectly fine, and actually recommendable, to seek compensation from an uninsured driver whose negligence led to your injuries, it is not always viable. As mentioned above, some of these drivers don’t have any money to pay you and it would be a waste of your precious time, money, and effort to sue them. For this reason, we suggest seeking the word of a personal accident lawyer to determine the viability of a potential suit in light of your circumstances before you commit your time and resources.
