The skilled uninsured motorist lawyers at Anidjar & Levine are committed to helping you obtain the maximum recovery possible when an uninsured or underinsured motorist hits you. We have extensive experience handling all types of uninsured motorist cases, and recovering compensation for injured victims throughout Florida.
Car accidents are a common fact of life in Florida and elsewhere. Because they happen so frequently, Florida state law requires all drivers to carry automobile insurance. This protects the driver from liability for property damage or bodily injury in case of an accident. Bodily injury insurance, for example, covers you if your hurt another driver. But what happens when the person who hits you is not insured?
Without insurance, negligent parties are forced to pay the judgment for Fort Lauderdale property damage and bodily injury out of their own pockets. But if you were badly injured and required an operation that cost $100,000, the at-fault motorist might not have that much cash. That leaves you holding the bag. This is when uninsured motorist coverage comes in handy.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects drivers when the other driver either has no auto insurance or does not have enough liability coverage to fully compensate you for your injuries. Although it is illegal to drive without auto insurance, it happens more frequently than you think. Sometimes, the driver carries liability insurance, but the limits are inadequate to fully cover the damage from the accident.
Instead, uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits are a type of voluntary coverage you purchase to protect you if this happens. With this coverage, you have a claim under your own policy, which your insurance carrier must pay. The insurance company usually pays up to the policy limit you purchased.
If your damages exceed the limits of the negligent driver’s liability coverage, you have an additional claim under your own policy for underinsured motorist benefits. Your insurance carrier has to pay the difference. In either situation, you are protected from paying the entire judgment out of pocket.
In Florida, uninsured motorist coverage is simple. It does not matter whether the person who hit you is uninsured or underinsured; you are protected. That is why uninsured motorist coverage is helpful to have.
Section 627.727 of the Florida Statutes provides: “No motor vehicle liability insurance policy which provides bodily injury liability coverage shall be issued…unless uninsured motor vehicle coverage is provided” to protect the insured. The law states that insured motorists are “legally entitled to recover damages” from uninsured drivers for bodily injury, sickness, or death. However, uninsured motorist coverage will not apply if the named insured makes a “written rejection” of the coverage in the policy.
If an uninsured motorist injures you, the experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers of Anidjar & Levine can help. We can claim you under your own uninsured motorist coverage so that you are not left holding the bag. Under your policy, the insurance carrier has to pay up to the policy limit for accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists who cause you bodily harm. At Anidjar & Levine, we understand that being in an accident is traumatic. When it is not your fault and the negligent party cannot pay, you should not also have to face financial peril. Our knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers can help you obtain the maximum recovery possible in your case. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality representation to injured victims throughout Florida. Call 800-747-3733 for a free consultation, or contact us online.