What Happens if You Get Into a Car Accident Without Insurance in Florida and Were Hurt?

January 21, 2022 | Firm News

Car owners in Florida must have auto insurance, including at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. Therefore, you must file a claim against your PIP insurance policy to cover your medical expenses and lost income – no matter who caused the accident. However, when someone is injured and they do not have auto insurance, they probably do not know what to do.

if you do not have car insurance or healthcare, you will likely have to pay for your medical expenses out-of-pocket unless you have health insurance. When another driver’s actions cause an accident and your injuries severe, you could have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you are ever involved in a car crash, it is advisable to speak with an experienced Hollywood Florida car accident attorney – especially if you do not have insurance.

if you have been hurt in a car accident and do not have insurance coverage, Newman Injury Law will help you understand your options. If another person’s negligence caused the accident, they could still be held liable whether you were insured or not. Do not hesitate to call 954-495-8500 to schedule a free appointment.

When Another Driver Causes an Accident in Florida and You Do Not Have Insurance

The biggest disadvantage someone has if they are injured in a car accident and they do not have insurance is they will likely have to pay for their damages out of pocket. Without an insurance policy or PIP coverage, your medical expenses and lost wages will not be covered. The other driver’s insurance will not necessarily pay for your damages.

Auto insurance is a legal requirement in Florida, so in addition to your damages, you will also face monetary penalties for driving without insurance. Your license could be suspended, incurring a significant reinstatement fee.

Nonetheless, if the accident was not your fault and you suffered severe or permanent injuries, you could be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Not having insurance does not prohibit you from pursuing your legal rights. If successful, you could recover your losses including pain and suffering, medical costs, and lost wages.

At the accident scene, be sure you get the at-fault driver’s name along with their insurance information. If for some reason, you were not unable to obtain this information, it should be found in the accident report. Our Ft. Lauderdale personal injury lawyers will assist you in obtaining a copy of the police report and other critical evidence.

A police report is only par of the evidence necessary to build a successful personal injury case. You have four years to file your claim under Florida’s statute of limitations. However, if you wait years to contact a Miami car accident attorney, no matter how skilled, it will be an uphill battle. With every passing week, vital evidence could be lost, become unavailable, or destroyed. Additionally, any witnesses that saw the crash will have faded memories.

Another important thing to remember is that personal injury lawsuits take time. Any medical expenses or physical therapy costs will have to be paid out-of-pocket. It could take years before you see any financial compensation. Before then, you will be responsible for your expenses. If you do not have healthcare, you could be looking at a financial crisis. This is another reason not to delay talking with an attorney or filing a claim.

When You Cause the Accident and You Do Not Have Insurance in Florida

Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, so even if you cause an accident, the other driver should file a claim with their insurer. Depending on the other driver’s policy limits, it should cover the majority of minor injuries and damages. Furthermore, if the driver had underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, they will have additional insurance available. While PIP should cover medical expenses and lost wages, underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage will compensate the injured driver and their passengers for pain and suffering.

However, if anyone you hit suffered severe or permanent injuries, you need to contact a Hallandale car accident attorney immediately. Just like you have a right to sue a negligent driver if your injuries meet a specific legal threshold, another driver has the right to sue you. If you do not have insurance coverage to pay for their damages, you could be personally liable for a significant judgment.

You are allowed to purchase auto insurance after an accident, but it will not cover you for any damages your caused before you had coverage. If you decide to purchase auto insurance, which our Pembroke Pines car accident lawyers strongly advise, some additional steps will be required.

When you purchase an insurance policy, you must disclose to the insurance company that you have just been in an uninsured accident. If your license was suspended and you are trying to have it reinstated, you need the insurance company to issue a certificate of liability. This document must be submitted to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles every year for the next three years. The certification serves as verification that you have auto insurance.

Call Our Florida Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

Driving without insurance is a risk no person should take. However, that does not mean someone relinquishes their rights to file a personal injury claim if they were injured because of another’s negligence. At Newman Injury Law, our Hialeah car accident attorneys understand the urgency of filing a claim when someone is uninsured. Mounting medical bills and lost wages are often devastating. Do not delay calling our law offices at 954-495-8500 if you were uninsured and involved in an accident.



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