A car accident can be a frightening experience all on its own. It can become even more frightening when the other driver doesn’t have insurance or is underinsured. Suddenly, you’re faced with figuring out how the bodily injury or auto damage will be covered financially.
At Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we focus on helping you and your family recover. Our attorneys are skilled and experienced litigators, and we are here to help you through the claims process and obtain the maximum amount of compensation available to you.
Florida Car Insurance Coverage Requirements
In Florida, drivers are required to carry auto insurance coverage, personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, and property damage liability (PDL) insurance. PIP will cover you and your passengers’ medical expenses up to a specified limit after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
PDL will help pay to repair or replace the other driver’s vehicle if you’re at fault for the accident. Florida requires a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage and $10,000 in PDL coverage.
While these are the only two types of insurance required by law, they may not be enough to completely cover you financially if you’re involved in an accident. That is why many drivers choose to purchase additional types of insurance, such as collision and comprehensive.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
Bodily Injury (BI) coverage is not required in Florida. It is designed to compensate an injured party for damages the negligent party may have caused. If you are injured in an accident, there is a chance the other person isn’t covered to pay for your medical expenses.
The best way to find out if the other party is covered is by hiring an attorney to review your case. After a thorough review of your accident and careful investigation into the other party’s insurance coverage, we will notify you if the other motorist had any BI coverage and the amount covered.
Other Optional Coverages
To protect yourself in the event of an accident, there are additional coverage options you can add to your car insurance policy:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If the other driver doesn’t have any BI coverage, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to pay for your medical expenses out of pocket or through your health insurance. You may not have to if you have Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM) in your auto insurance policy.
This type of coverage protects an injured person from paying for damages caused by the at-fault party. It can be used if the other party has no BI coverage to pay for all your damages.
If the at-fault party’s insurance company informs us there is no BI coverage, we will determine if your policy has UM coverage. We will notify you of the amount of your UM coverage, so you don’t have to worry.
Medical Payments Coverage
Medical payments coverage (Medpay) is an optional type of insurance that can be purchased as part of your auto insurance policy. It will help pay for your medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage is an optional type of insurance that can help pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident. Collision coverage will pay for the damages regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is an optional type of insurance that can help pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than an accident. Comprehensive coverage will pay for the damages regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
After you’ve been involved in a car accident, there are a few things you should do:
- Check for injuries and call the police. Note which department responds, and obtain their accident report when available.
- Seek medical treatment. Even if you do not feel pain at the time, adrenaline often masks symptoms.
- Move your vehicle out of the way of traffic, if possible.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver.
- Take pictures of the accident scene, if possible.
- Call your insurance company to report the accident.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that everyone is safe and that you have the information you need to file a claim.
Damages You Can Recover in a Car Accident Claim
If you’re involved in a car accident, you may be able to recover damages for:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are any costs that you incur due to the accident. This can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are any costs that you incur due to the accident that are not financial in nature. This can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Car accidents can be costly, and it’s important to know what your options are for recovering the damages you’ve incurred.
If you have any questions about your rights after a car accident, contact an experienced attorney. They can help you understand your options and guide you through the process of filing a claim.
Negligence in Florida Car Accidents
Most car accident claims in Florida are based on negligence. This means that the at-fault driver failed to exercise a reasonable level of care and, as a result, caused an accident.
To prove negligence, you must show that the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty, and you were injured due to the breach.
For example, all drivers have a duty to drive safely and obey the rules of the road. If a driver fails to do this and causes an accident, they may be liable for the damages.
Determining who is at fault in a car accident can be complex. If you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney to help you understand your options.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Florida?
The statute of limitations is the deadline for filing a car accident claim in Florida. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you don’t file a claim within that time frame, you may be barred from recovering damages.
There are some exceptions to this rule, so it’s important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we are committed to fighting for your fair recovery. We strive to help injured individuals and the loved ones of those wrongfully killed secure the full, fair recovery they are owed. We offer dedicated legal representation for car accident victims and bicycle, rideshare, and semi-truck accident victims. Call our offices today for a free consultation.
