West Palm Beach Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Lawyer
Motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of serious injuries in South Florida. According to a recent report from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 223,123 crashes and 141,215 injuries reported in the state in 2017. Auto accident victims need fair compensation for their injuries.
If you were severely injured in a crash with a negligent driver, you may be able to hold that driver legally liable for your damages. With limited exceptions, negligent drivers are held liable through their insurance policy. While Florida law mandates that drivers must carry sufficient auto insurance coverage, many people violate this regulation. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute reports that Florida has the highest rate of uninsured drivers in the entire country.
At Leifer & Ramirez, our West Palm Beach uninsured & underinsured motorist lawyers have extensive experience handling these especially complex auto accident claims. If you were injured in a wreck with an uninsured or underinsured driver, please do not hesitate to contact our West Palm Beach law office for a free consultation.
What is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
In Florida, drivers are supposed to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. If you are injured in a crash in West Palm Beach, your PIP coverage should offer some immediate protection against medical bills. This is true regardless of who at fault for the crash. PIP protection provides coverage for your own immediate medical expenses.
However, for those who have sustained serious injuries, their PIP coverage is almost always insufficient to cover their costs. If the negligent driver who was responsible for the crash lacks insurance, uninsured motorist coverage may be able to fill the gap. In Florida, your UM/UIM coverage can be applied if you are injured in a crash that was caused by a negligent uninsured driver or a negligent hit-and-run driver. Unfortunately, the big insurance companies do not always make it easy for an injured victim to recover. Even if you are dealing with your own policy, it is highly recommended that you seek legal guidance.
What Do If You are Injured By an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist?
Following a traffic collision in Florida, drivers are required to stop their vehicles, exchange information, and remain at the scene of the accident. If you find out that the other driver does not have insurance, you need to take immediate action to protect your rights. Specifically, you should be sure to do the following four things:
- Carefully document the accident, including taking pictures and obtaining the police report;
- Get the personal identifying information from the uninsured/underinsured driver;
- Report the accident to your own insurance company, without admitting any fault or making any statements; and
- Get in touch with a qualified West Palm Beach car accident lawyer.
Contact Our South Florida Uninsured Motorist Attorneys
At Leifer & Ramirez, our West Palm Beach auto accident lawyers have deep experience handling uninsured/underinsured motorist claims. If you were hurt in a crash with an uninsured motorist, we will protect your rights. To get a free, fully private case evaluation, please contact us today by calling 561-660-9421.
