Uninsured Driver Accidents
A car crash is a jarring and scary experience at the best of times. Victims who are severely injured face the painful process of recovery, time away from work, and high medical costs. Injured parties are generally left wondering how they will recover financially. If the person responsible for the accident lacks insurance, how is an accident victim supposed to get their bills covered, their lost wages repaid, and their psychological trauma compensated for?
Mark H. Wright can help you seek compensation after you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Seasoned personal injury lawyer Mark H. Wright has spent more than thirty years helping accident victims recover damages from negligent drivers, insurance companies, employers, and other liable parties. Mr. Wright prides himself on his dedicated service to his clients, providing personal attention and care that bigger law firms cannot and will not offer. At Mark H. Wright, PLLC, our number one priority is the welfare of our clients, and we fight to make sure they get the compensation they are owed, whatever the circumstances.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Scheme
Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state. In states with a “fault” insurance scheme, after an accident, an injured victim can immediately bring a claim against the at-fault driver or the at-fault driver’s insurance company, as well as their own insurer. In a no-fault state like Florida, injured accident victims first rely instead on their personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage, regardless of who caused a crash. Victims can only bring a claim against an at-fault driver when certain conditions are satisfied.
The no-fault system benefits drivers injured by uninsured motorists because injured victims all have their own policies that cover damages up to a certain level. However, Florida’s minimum PIP coverage is only $10,000 and is only meant to cover up to 80 percent of an accident victim’s medical bills and 60 percent of their wages lost due to an accident. Typically, an injured party could sue an at-fault driver under limited circumstances, including if they suffered a serious or “permanent” injury. If the at-fault driver lacks insurance, an injured plaintiff might still bring their claims under Florida law, and the defendant will be subject to paying any damages award out of pocket.
Recovering Against Uninsured Drivers
While you may be able to sue an at-fault driver after a severe injury, unfortunately, drivers who do not have insurance typically do not have deep pockets. Florida car accident injury lawyer Mark H. Wright will help you understand your options for recovery if you were hit by an uninsured driver.
If the at-fault driver is unable to pay, you might be able to recover at least some of your damages through mechanisms such as wage garnishment. Moreover, many Florida drivers carry their own optional insurance for uninsured motorist accidents. We strongly recommend everyone in Florida opt for such coverage. Our Florida uninsured driver accident legal team will work with you to determine the best path forward to maximize your recovery after your uninsured motorist accident.
Trusted Advice and Representation After an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver in the Tampa Bay area, you are entitled to recovery, regardless of whether the driver had proper insurance. Mark H. Wright, PLLC is ready to help you get the monetary compensation you deserve, whatever it takes. Our legal team is focused on providing qualified, knowledgeable, and personalized legal help to Floridians who were injured by uninsured or underinsured drivers. If you were hurt in a traffic accident with an uninsured driver in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Plant City or anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, call us today for a free consultation.
