Personal injury protection (PIP) is primarily designed to ensure that an injured driver is not left without financial recourse when in an accident with an uninsured driver.
Florida Insurance Requirements: A minimum of $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage liability insurance is required by law; no bodily injury liability insurance is required.
The amount of insurance the other driver purchased is vital information in your injury case, especially if you or your attorney want to negotiate a fair settlement.
If the at-fault driver only purchased the minimum amount of insurance, the insurer is going to pay a maximum of $10,000—regardless of how much your medical bills from an injury actually cost.
How do you find out someone’s insurance policy limits?
You should be able to learn someone’s insurance policy limits by contacting their insurance company. The company may generally contact you following your accident. In time, they should tell you what the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits are. An experienced personal injury law firm, like Zarzaur Law, can help you through this process.
Key Facts About Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida:
- Minimum Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per accident
- Uninsured Drivers on the Road: 27%
- Crashes per Year: 403,626
- Odds of a Crash with an Uninsured Driver: 1 in 4
from FLHSMV – The statewide uninsured motorist rate for January 2023 is 6.18%. This is 973,077 of the total 15,734,855 registrations in Florida.
In Florida, you cannot seek additional compensation from an insurance company beyond what the at-fault driver’s policy limits state. Insurance companies are only liable for paying out the limits within the defendant’s insurance policy.
Why Uninsured And Underinsured Protection is Important
Personal injury protection (PIP) is primarily designed to ensure that an injured driver is not left without financial recourse when in an accident with an uninsured driver.
Most crashes result in serious injury, and if the at-fault party has no bodily injury coverage or coverage with small limits, you will not be compensated for your injuries and losses. As Florida personal injury lawyers, we stress the importance of UM coverage for all drivers.
In Florida, bodily injury coverage is not required to drive, and many drivers in our area do not have bodily injury coverage. When you buy insurance for your vehicle, please request UM coverage and buy as much coverage as you can afford. This coverage is relatively inexpensive and very important. This is important to protect you and your family. A board-certified civil trial lawyer can advise you on coverage and help you navigate the complex laws involving car accidents.
Watch Joe’s YouTube Video On This Topic >
What Should You Do If You Are In A Florida Car Accident?
1. Call the police and file a report.
2. Swap information (including any insurance information they may have).
3. Gather details.
4. Take pictures/video
5. Gather the contact information of any witnesses.
6. Seek medical care immediately for any injuries, no matter how minor you think they might be.
GET MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT HERE AT OUR “Car Wreck Checklist” >
Joe Zarzaur is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney whose firm has been dedicated to promoting community safety since 2007. ZARZAUR LAW’S AREAS OF PRACTICE: Serious Personal Injury, Product Defect, Auto Accidents, Cycling Accidents, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Products Liability, Wrongful Death, Community Safety, Boat and Jet Ski Accidents, Slip and Fall Injuries, and more. Licensed in Alabama and Florida.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important that you don’t make any rash decisions. Put yourself in the best possible position to receive the justice you deserve. It is also important to consult with a Board-Certified Trial Lawyer who has the knowledge and experience to help you. We know accidents can be stressful, and we want to make the process as easy as possible for you.
Call Zarzaur Law, P.A. today at (855) Hire-Joe for a free legal consultation or visit www.zarzaurlaw.com.
Sources:
https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/
https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/uninsured-motorist-coverage-in-florida-2140704320/