Why You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage In Florida
There’s a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation that surrounds uninsured motorist coverage in Florida. As it is not legally required, most drivers think that if they have a standard car insurance policy they will be covered in the case of any and all accidents. However, as many of them have had the misfortune of finding out, this is not accurate. In fact, the bodily injury coverage that most standard policies include only covers injuries caused to other drivers–it does not cover physical or property damage suffered by the policy-holder.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Put simply, uninsured motorist coverage provides insurance coverage to a driver who suffers damage due to a driver who lacks insurance, or sufficient insurance, to cover their harm. This is particularly critical in Florida, where nearly a quarter of drivers on the road lack any insurance whatsoever. A whopping 50% have insurance with a maximum coverage of $25,000 per accident (or less). As anyone who has ever received an emergency room visit can tell you, that is unlikely to cover the cost of even a non-serious injury. In these cases, the driver’s uninsured motorist coverage will kick in and cover the difference, or the entire cost of their injuries. This becomes particularly critical in cases of hit-and-run, where drivers would otherwise have no recourse for receiving compensation for their injuries and would have to pay entirely out of pocket for any treatment required.
The Importance of Insured Motorist Coverage
It’s important to understand that no matter how high your bodily injury (“BI”) insurance coverage is, none of it will be paid out to you in the event of a car accident in which you suffer injury. It is on the other driver’s bodily injury insurance coverage to pay for your injuries, and in the event that that driver cannot be identified, is uninsured, or lacks sufficient coverage, your insurance will be useless to help you. You will be solely responsible for your own injuries, even if someone else was entirely at fault for your harm, unless you have uninsured motorist coverage.
Hit-And-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents are particularly prevalent in Florida, likely because such a high number of drivers travel without any insurance coverage. These accidents can be physically and financially catastrophic for victims. Even in the rare instance where the police can identify the responsible vehicle, they are rarely insured. This means that the injured party is left to cope with the financial fallout and physical harm caused by the accident alone. This can come as a shock to many drivers who believed themselves to be responsibly insured or even over-insured. Uninsured motorist coverage ensures that in these situations, victims will still have coverage available to them.
Talk to an Experienced Florida Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered serious injuries and financial damages as a result of a Florida car accident that was not your fault, Lyons & Snyder Trial Attorneys can help you seek the compensation and financial support that you are entitled to by law. The Delray Beach personal injury lawyers at Lyons & Snyder have helped thousands of drivers get back on their feet. Call today to schedule a free consultation and find out how they can help you too.
