Bradenton Car Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers: How To Get Compensation
Car accidents in Bradenton often happen due to the recklessness of other drivers and may leave you suffering serious harm. Their insurance can help cover your losses, but what happens when they lack the required coverage?
Uninsured and underinsured drivers are an increasingly common problem throughout Florida. Our experienced Bradenton car accident lawyer explains your rights and your options for getting compensation.
Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Matters in Florida
The Insurance Research Council reports roughly one in four Florida drivers has no auto insurance, one of the highest rates in the nation. Every time you get behind the wheel in Manatee County, there is a strong chance of encountering an uninsured driver on the road.
Under Section 627.727 of the Florida Statutes, insurers must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but drivers can waive it in writing and often do, leaving themselves exposed. Here is what you need to understand about this coverage:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) policies protect you when the at-fault driver lacks insurance.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage helps when the at-fault driver’s policy limits are not enough to cover your losses.
- UM/UIM coverage can pay for medical care, lost earnings, and other damages.
- Florida allows stacking of UM coverage across multiple vehicles on a policy.
- Waiving UM coverage means you give up the right to make a claim against your own policy after a crash with an uninsured driver.
Ensuring you have adequate coverage helps protect you against uninsured drivers in Bradenton.
How To Get Compensation When a Bradenton Car Accident Involves an Uninsured Driver
The high cost of auto insurance, a history of traffic violations, and driving without a valid license are all common reasons why drivers lack coverage. In some cases, they may have insurance but mistakenly let it lapse.
Regardless of the reason, being involved in a Bradenton car accident with an uninsured driver can leave you facing high out-of-pocket costs. Options available that can help in getting the compensation you need to recover include:
- Filing a Uninsured Motorist claim with your own insurer.
- Consider other sources of coverage, such as a spouse’s UM or umbrella policy.
- Identifying other liable parties, such as other drivers involved or auto manufacturers, when vehicle defects are to blame.
- File a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, using wage garnishment, liens, and other enforcement efforts to collect on any court judgments.
Uninsured car accidents in Bradenton can leave you facing significant losses. To get the compensation you are entitled to in a claim, get professional legal help right away.
Request a Consultation Today With Our Experienced Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents in Bradenton involving uninsured drivers can leave you facing serious personal injuries and significant out-of-pocket costs. To hold them accountable and get the total amount you are entitled to in a claim, contact the Lavely Law Firm.
Our Bradenton car accident lawyer provides the trusted guidance and fierce legal representation you need to protect your rights to compensation. Request a consultation today.
Sources:
insurance-research.org/uninsured-motorists/uninsured-and-underinsured-motorists-2017-2023
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.727.html
