In the months that follow a car accident that resulted in injury, you may face substantial medical bills while healing from wounds that inhibit your ability to work.
When the person who caused your accident does not have insurance, you have other options to help you recover compensation.
Can you use your own insurance?
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. That means all licensed drivers must purchase personal injury protection insurance before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Even if you chose the minimum amount of coverage required by the state mandate, it will still cover:
- 60% of the wages lost for missing work due to injury
- 80% of the medical costs necessary for your injury
- $5,000 in death benefits if you lost a loved one in the accident
PIP insurance also covers passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident. However, it does not cover the non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.
If you opted to carry uninsured motorist coverage, your policy should cover damages, including the damage done to your vehicle.
Can you file a lawsuit?
Sometimes your PIP and uninsured motorist coverage is not enough to adequately cover the damages you suffered. In this case, you have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Keep in mind that drivers without insurance typically do not have sufficient income or assets available to liquidate in order to pay. Even if you win the lawsuit, you may struggle to obtain compensation.