If you have been injured in a car accident, you can seek damages from the other driver’s insurance company. However, if the driver who hit you was uninsured, it becomes more complicated to seek compensation.
A Florida car accident attorney can provide answers. Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath know how debilitating car accidents can be. That’s why we help all of our clients collect the maximum compensation, even if the other driver did not have insurance.
Contact us today for a free assessment of your case.
Steps to Take After You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver
Whether the driver who hit you had insurance or not, it’s important to take steps to protect your health and your rights at the scene of the accident. Follow these steps before you leave the scene of the car accident.
1. File a police report.
Call the police and file an official report. The police will investigate the scene and make a determination of fault that can benefit your case.
2. Do not accept liability.
Never admit fault at the scene of the accident. Even an accidental admission can mean issues down the line.
3. Do not accept cash.
Uninsured drivers may try to buy you off. However, the amount they offer will never be as high as the amount you can get once you know the extent of your injuries. In many cases, it won’t even cover your initial medical assessment.
4. Seek medical attention.
Always seek medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured.
5. Call your insurance.
In Florida, you need to file with your insurance company first before you can possibly pursue damages from the other driver.
6. Call a car accident attorney.
Call Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath for assistance with your claim.
Were you hit by an uninsured driver in a no-fault state?
A no-fault state means that no matter who was at fault for your accident, your own insurance provider will be paying some or all of your medical bills. This makes things slightly easier in the case of a collision with an uninsured driver as it means that you will be covered regardless of the other person’s ability to pay.
However, in many cases, individuals need to claim damages from the at-fault driver to cover property damage, additional medical bills exceeding their coverage, and to recover the amount paid by their insurance.
This is when you will need to speak with a car accident attorney for assistance handling the case going forward.
What happens if an uninsured driver hits you?
Uninsured drivers typically cannot afford to pay for damages. This means that when they are required to pay for your medical care and property damage, they often default on their payments.
To ensure you actually recover damages so you are not financially crippled by the accident, you can use one of the following methods of recovering compensation:
Personal Injury Protection
Personal Injury Protection is included in most car insurance packages. In Florida, it is required that drivers have some form of personal injury protection insurance so they can cover their medical bills.
In Florida, every driver must have at least $10,000 of personal injury protection in their car insurance. However, many medical bills will exceed this amount for car accident injuries.
This form of insurance is beneficial but is not a complete answer to seeking compensation for your injuries.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage is optional coverage available with most car insurance plans. It will cover property damage to your vehicle as well as some level of compensation for your injuries if you have been in a collision with an uninsured motorist.
Uninsured motorist coverage is beneficial to ensure you can repair damage to your vehicle. However, it is often limited. Insurance companies will not give you a larger amount of uninsured motorist coverage than you have for liability insurance overall.
Speak with your insurance company to determine what level of uninsured motorist coverage you require when you purchase your policy.
Other Ways to Collect Damages
If you cannot collect damages from your insurance company there are still alternatives. These vary in effectiveness and can be more complicated. To improve your chances of success, it is advised that you consult with a car accident attorney before filing a claim. Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath will review your case and help you determine how best to seek damages.
If you suffered significant injuries, your health insurance provider may cover your medical expenses. You need to contact your health insurance provider as soon as possible to discuss your injuries and inform them that they were caused by an uninsured motorist.
Alternatively, you can file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. If they do not have the funds to pay you, your car accident attorney can negotiate a payment plan to ensure you get your compensation in full over time.
Another party may be liable for your accident. Manufacturers, vehicle owners, and mechanics can all be found at fault for a car accident, even if they were not on the scene.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Florida
It’s unfortunate, but it happens. When an uninsured driver hits you, you’re tasked with not only focusing on your physical recovery but tracking down the money you are rightfully owed. Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath are compassionate car accident attorneys. Our team has helped thousands of victims like you recover damages so they can get back to living their lives.
Let us help you today. Call (561) 655-1990 to schedule a free consultation.
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