Deerfield Beach Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Lawyer
In the state of Florida, as in almost all other states in the nation, drivers are required to carry a certain amount of auto liability insurance to protect both themselves and others in the event of an accident. Florida is also one of many states that requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which is meant to cover the cost of medical expenses post-accident. Unfortunately, not all drivers abide by the law.
According to the Florida Insurance Council, approximately 23 percent of Florida drivers are uninsured, putting Florida in one of the top five spots for states with the most uninsured drivers. These drivers do not just put themselves at risk, but they put others at risk as well. If an uninsured or underinsured driver causes a car accident and if he or she cannot afford to pay for the resulting damages out of pocket, the other party is forced to foot the bill him or herself. For many, the cost of damages of a car accident can be financially devastating.
At Leifer & Ramirez, we have dedicated our careers to helping victims of negligence recover compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one was involved in an auto accident with an uninsured/underinsured motorist, contact our Deerfield Beach uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyers to see if and how we can help you.
Why Florida Drivers Should Invest in Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In Florida, insurance companies are required by law to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to policyholders. While policyholders are not required to accept, it is recommended that they do. This type of coverage protects law-abiding citizens from more careless and negligent motorists. The policy applies to everyone in your household who is involved in the accident. It does not matter if you were the passenger, the driver, the victim, or the one who caused the accident either—so long as you have the policy, your damages are covered.
How Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works
When you are injured in an automobile accident involving an uninsured/underinsured motorist, contact your insurance company immediately after the accident to file your claim. Your insurance company will either inform you that you did opt in for uninsured motorist coverage, in which case you will be able to recover maximum compensation (within policy limits). However, if your insurer lets you know otherwise—that you waived this type of coverage—you still have the option of suing the uninsured motorist in civil court. Unfortunately, the second route rarely plays out as planned, as most people who drive without insurance typically do not have enough resources to cover the cost of another’s damages.
Why You Still Need a Lawyer to Help Recover Compensation
Unfortunately, just because you opted to pay the extra monthly fee for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage does not mean you are automatically entitled to compensation. Your insurance company is, after all, a business, and like all businesses, it needs to make a profit. To minimize losses as much as possible, it likely offers bottom dollar settlements to insureds—settlements that rarely cover the cost of initial medical expenses much less ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and lost wages. If you hope to recover the most amount of money for your injuries, you need to allow an experienced and aggressive attorney to negotiate on your behalf for the full amount to which you are entitled.
Contact Our Deerfield Beach Legal Firm Today
If you were involved in an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist, do not just assume that you are out of luck. You may have more options than you realize. Contact Leifer & Ramirez to discuss those options and your rights with our uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyers today.
