Auto accidents are all too common on the roads in Florida, and throughout the U.S. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were more than 344,000 motor vehicle collisions in 2014 alone. Often, these collisions cause serious injuries or death, in addition to vehicle damage. After car crashes, those involved frequently rely on insurance to cover their recovery costs, including their medical expenses. Many motorists, however, have minimal coverage, or drive without insurance.
Accident injury victims who are involved in collisions with uninsured drivers may be left without the help and compensation they need. Unfortunately, drivers cannot know for certain if those they are sharing the road with are insured.
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While not all crashes are preventable, practicing defensive, cautious driving may help. This includes staying away from distractions, which may divert drivers’ attentions from their primary task of driving, while behind the wheel. Furthermore, drivers should watch out for the vehicles they are sharing the roads with. If other motorists are driving erratically or unsafely, it is generally best for drivers to move into another lane, or allow them to pass.
Know the state’s insurance laws
Most states, Florida included, have minimum car insurance coverage requirements, which drivers should be aware of. The Florida Bar points out that state law requires drivers of vehicles with four, or more, wheels, must have personal injury protection coverage of at least $10,000. Furthermore, they must have a minimum property damage liability coverage of $10,000. While it is recommended, Florida drivers do not have to have bodily injury liability insurance.
Sometimes, people in Florida may drive without auto insurance, or without adequate coverage. Should these drivers cause a collision, they could be held liable for the damages resulting from the injuries others suffered in the
While you can attempt to make a legal claim against the underinsured motorist, it will likely be difficult and net little, if anything. If the party is married, joint assets cannot be used to determine the judgement. Similarly, attachments cannot be made if the driver lacks sufficient assets.
Individuals who sustain injuries during a motor vehicle accident, while at work or due to a slip and fall should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Neglecting to receive prompt medical care could lead to additional problems, including a lifetime of chronic pain. Furthermore, if an individual neglects to seek treatment within a certain timeframe following an accident, he or she may lose the ability to pursue compensation for the injuries sustained in the accident.
Liability coverage is the minimal amount of coverage that you are expected to have in most states. If you get into an accident, liability coverage will cover any vehicle or property damage that you cause to others. It will not cover any damage to your own vehicle or to yourself.
Paul Joseph, the other driver – Florida’s no fault law includes an “injury threshold” limiting law suits to claims of great bodily injury, permanent disability or disfigurement. Statutes, however, are unclear as to exactly what constitutes great bodily injury. It is unlikely that Paul Joseph would be named as a defendant in this action, as Mary’s PIP insurance would be the proper party. Under Florida’s Civil Remedy Statute, §624.155(1)(b), Mary’s insurance company is required to act in her best interests. Should they act in “bad faith” by failing to settle for a reasonable amount, Mary may sue for an amount which is “a reasonably foreseeable result of a specified violation of this section by the authorized insurer and may include an award or judgment in an amount that exceeds the policy limits.” Fla. Stat. §624.155(8) However, the statute goes on to state that “No punitive damages shall be awarded under this section unless the acts giving rise to the violation occur with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice and these acts are: (a) Willful, wanton, and malicious; (b) In reckless disregard for the rights of any insured; or (c) In reckless disregard
While the insurance of the at-fault driver is first in line for financial responsibility of your medical bills, your personal injury protection plan will cover your medical expenses, even if you were at fault! The monies can also be used to pay for other occupants of your vehicle at the time of the collision.
Apart from the inconvenience, social stigma and financial burden getting a DUI in Florida can cost a person, driving while intoxicated or under the influence comes with a heavy price tag of penalties, fees and FL DUI costs. Attempting to drive, driving or being in charge of any vehicle if the level of alcohol or medication exceeds 0.08 is
Automobile companies are often wary of insuring individuals that do not follow the rules of the road. This is because they are more likely to pay a lot of expenses to cover the costs of accidents or other violations. Because there is such a risk involved, these companies may charge individuals a higher
Although your policy will cover the damage you do, it will not cover the damage the other driver does to your car or to you. If you are at fault, you can simply justify the repair costs as a penalty for your poor driving. If the accident is the other driver's fault, you can always demand the other driver's insurance company pay the repair bill. However, this assumes the other driver has insurance. If not, you will be stuck with the repair bill. This type of insurance is often not expensive to add to your policy, so you should get a quote on the cost.
Florida liability limits also must meet the minimum requirements of the former state. This might sound complicated, but you don’t have to worry - A Plus All Florida Insurance will take care of all the paperwork.
Getting convicted of a DUI in Florida is no joke. The penalties incurred are serious and the law is not taking this type of offense lightly. Besides particular penalties such as fines, license suspension and jail time, your insurance rates and insurance credibility is affected as well. FR44 insurance is required by the state of Florida for individuals who are convicted of a DUI and plans to start driving again. This liability insurance puts limitations on the driver and in the process increases their insurance rate for a total of 5 years. Finding an insurance carrier that handles FR44 insurance cases aren't typical but many insurance companies do participate.
Uninsured/underinsured Motorist coverage helps pay for your injuries when you are in a not at-fault accident. For example, although every state requires some limit of bodily injury liability coverage, not every driver however, is responsible and follows the rules. If you suffer injuries after being hit by another driver and they do not have bodily injury, or they do not carry the limits required to pay for your injuries, or it is
The benefit to having this coverage is that if you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, or are the victim of a hit and run, you still have coverage available to cover the costs of personal injuries. Of course your insurance company will want to conduct an investigation of the accident before paying a claim, which is why you should partner with a skilled personal injury attorney to protect your interests. To assist with the investigation, it is crucial that you act to preserve the evidence. You can do this by taking down what insurance information the other driver does have, taking photos, and getting the names and contact information of all witnesses. Taking these steps will help prove your case, and may speed up the time it takes to receive compensation.
While operating a vehicle, you are to have several required documents at a traffic stop. When stopped for a traffic violation, you are to always have the following items: driver license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration. As of May 8, 2009, all motor vehicles operated on Alabama highways must have liability insurance. If you do not have insurance and involved in an accident, you will have to pay. Minimum coverage for a single injured individual is $25,000 and $50,000 for two or more injuries. A first conviction for not having mandatory liability insurance holds a fine up to $500 plus court cost.
If you didn't grow up in a no-fault insurance state, moving to a state with no-fault insurance laws can be confusing. Many people wrongly assume that in a no-fault insurance state, that you can't sue another driver for damages and that your insurance has to cover everything. However, this assumption is incorrect. Here is a quick break-down of how Florida's no-fault insurance law works and what it real means when it comes to legal action and choices.
There is also a type of coverage referred to ask medical payments coverage. If an accident occurs, this coverage will help repay the driver or passengers for medical expenses caused by the accident. This is generally a quick process that helps get your medical payments taken care of in a timely fashion (Heath 2.) One final type is the uninsured motorist coverage. This provides the customer with protection from accidents with someone who has not purchased car insurance. This type would also cover hit and run accident that may occur. "Also, uninsured motorist insurance coverage comes into play when an at-fault driver doesn't have enough liability coverage to pay for the damages from the accident." (Abramowitz 2.)