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Florida Car Accidents With Uninsured Drivers

Being involved in an auto accident in St. Petersburg is stressful, no matter the circumstances. Many things go along with it: Car repairs, medical bills, car rental, lost wages, and litigation. It is a gift that keeps on giving. And the stress is compounded when neither driver has insurance.

What Florida Law Says About Car Insurance in St. Petersburg

Florida has clearly defined insurance laws. A St. Petersburg motorist must have minimum liability insurance or they are violating the law. The law requires you to carry liability insurance with a coverage of $10,000 for bodily injury (PIP) and $10,000 for property damage (PD / PDL).

If you do not have the minimum amount of coverage for your car and home, you are breaking the law and can be charged with a felony. On the other hand, ff your car is hit by someone who does not have insurance, that person is breaking the law. By pointing this out, you can prove that the other party is at fault when you file your claim.

Understand Your St Petersburg Insurance Policy

If a driver does not have insurance, likely, they will not have any money to pay for the damages. Therefore, your first option is to obtain coverage through your policy. The first step is to contact Reeder & Nussbaum, P.A, for PIP and file a claim for reimbursement of your medical bills.

PIP, also known as “no-fault” insurance, covers all medical expenses regardless of who is responsible for the injury. The second type of coverage that is included in most standard auto insurance policies in St Petersburg is called “uninsured motorist” coverage.

As the name implies, this is insurance that compensates you for damages you incur when you are hit by an uninsured driver. For Reeder & Nussbaum, P.A to reimburse you for the damages, you must file a claim.

Collection From Drivers Who Do Not Have Auto Insurance.

Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that most damages resulting from an auto accident will be paid by your insurance company. On average, Reeder & Nussbaum, P.A will pay about 80% of the costs you incur in a personal injury claim.

These costs include medical bills and any additional expenses related to your injury. If the other driver was at fault for the accident, the remaining 20% will be covered by the other driver’s insurance company. If the other driver in the accident is not insured, your only option is to sue them.

Filing A Claim Under Your Auto Insurance Policy

In most cases, you won’t need to sue the uninsured driver to get the compensation you deserve after an accident in St Petersburg. However, if your insurer refuses to compensate you even though you have a policy that covers uninsured drivers, you should consider filing a lawsuit.

Consider doing so after carefully reviewing your existing auto insurance policy. Check to see if your policy covers accidents where the other driver is uninsured. If so, this could be a good strategy for settling claims.

After an accident, you need to act immediately. Notify Reeder & Nussbaum, P.A within 24 hours if you were involved in an accident. Inform the adjuster that you intend to file a claim with the insurance company for uninsured driving.

Also, be aware of the time limits that apply to these claims. Once you have filed your claim, it will be up to you and your insurance agent to reach a settlement. If you and the other party cannot come to an agreement, it’s not the end of the world. Your case will then go to arbitration or litigation.

The Defendant Is Considered A Debtor In Florida

There are several ways to collect a debt if the defendant does not repay the settlement. These include:

Garnishing the defendant’s wages
Garnishing property that is not in the home
Access to personal property associated with the defendant
Access to the defendant’s bank account

Also, the license of the insured driver may be suspended until compensation is paid in full. If you are injured by an uninsured motorist and have unpaid medical bills and lost wages, that does not mean you should just pay the bill. You should be compensated.

How to Protect Yourself

The financial consequences of an accident can be difficult to bear if neither party has insurance coverage, or if both parties are uninsured. Unfortunately, we live in an age where insurance has become necessary. Fortunately, we now live in a time where there are a variety of insurance options available.

In general, you should make sure that you purchase quality insurance coverage, keep it up to date, and drive safely. This way, you will always be protected if another driver is negligent with their vehicle. You cannot rely on others to have the necessary insurance to protect you if you are involved in an auto accident.

Get Help From An Experienced St Petersburg Auto Accident Lawyer

If you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you will need to follow a series of steps to ensure that you file your claim against the appropriate party. Although the task may seem difficult, it is possible to receive compensation for your injuries in this case. An experienced attorney from Reeder & Nussbaum, P.A can help you figure out what to do in your case, and they can make sure you do not miss any deadlines that could jeopardize your case.

If you have been involved in an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, it is extremely important to contact an experienced St Petersburg attorney such as Reeder & Nussbaum P.A, to discuss your options.

Reeder & Nussbaum, P.A is a reputable law firm that has been in operation for many years and have helped people just like you get the help they deserve.

Moreover, attorneys at Reeder & Nussbaum P.A have the knowledge and resources necessary to protect your rights. As a professional team, Reeder & Nussbaum P.A lawyers can work with you to develop the best strategy to obtain the compensation you need to recover your loss.