It is the law that all drivers in the state must have auto insurance but, in reality, 23 percent of drivers in Florida have NO INSURANCE according to the Insurance Research Counsel. And of those, many have only the minimum coverage, called PIP, which offers you no protection.
That information may not matter to you now, but it becomes crucial if you’re ever in a wreck with one of those drivers. If that time comes, after making sure everyone on the scene is safe, here’s what you need to do.
Exchange information Regardless of what insurance coverage you or the other driver has, get each other’s information at the scene of a crash:
• Full name
• Phone number
• Address
• Email address
• Insurance company name, address and phone number
• Policy number
• License plate number
• Driver’s license number
Check your policy
See if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (and add it to your policy for the future, if you don’t). That coverage will pay medical costs for you and your passengers.
If that amount of money is already overwhelming to think about paying out, you can imagine how important it is to have uninsured/underinsured coverage for yourself if a driver without insurance hits you.
“If you don’t have this coverage and the person at fault doesn’t have insurance, you’re out of luck when it comes to recouping any damages, losses, or expenses you incurred from the accident,” insurancequotes.org says. “ … Unfortunately, the odds are against you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have auto insurance.
Contact an attorney
Don’t be scared away by the idea of consulting with legal professionals. They are available to make sure you are not hurt by large companies or the legal system, and are your advocates in dealing with the bureaucracy of insurance companies.
“Being injured in an auto accident can affect your entire life,” Attorney Nick Seidule says. “From pain and suffering to lost wages, the physical, emotional and financial toll of a car accident can be unbearable. You’ll need an experienced Florida car accident lawyer to help you navigate all the paperwork and legal red tape that comes along with getting you the compensation you deserve for your injury.”
The fact is, no matter how safely you drive, accidents happen and victims need an attorney they can trust. Contact SeiduleLaw if you are in an accident.