When a party causes a car accident in Tampa, Florida, you expect that party’s insurance company to pay your damages. However, what happens if the driver is uninsured? Can you hold uninsured drivers in Tampa liable for damages caused by a car crash?
The Tampa car accident attorneys of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers have over 50 years of combined legal experience holding negligent parties liable for the damages they cause. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients in personal injury claims. Our law firm is prepared to handle even the most complex car accident case with a personal injury attorney who is a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the Florida Bar.
Contact our Tampa law office at (813) 686-7588 to schedule a free consultation with experienced Tampa uninsured motorist accident lawyers. We are here to help you with an uninsured motorist claim.
How Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You After an Accident With an Uninsured Motorist
Car accidents result in unexpected bills and expenses. You might be out of work for several weeks or months recovering from accident injuries. If you did not cause the accident, you should not bear the financial burden of these losses.
When you hire Tampa Bay’s top trial lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the cause of the car accident to determine causation and fault
- Identify all parties who could be liable for the car crash
- Verify auto insurance coverage and file an insurance claim
- Gather evidence and document damages
- Aggressively defend you against allegations of contributory fault and failure to mitigate damages
- Work with you and medical experts to determine the extent of your injuries
- Calculate the value of your claim and work to recover that amount through settlement negotiations or at trial
Our Tampa car accident lawyers are ready to help you hold the at-fault party responsible for your car crash accountable for their actions. Call now to schedule your free consultation with a lawyer in Tampa, FL.
Automobile Insurance Coverage Required for Florida Drivers
Even though Florida is a no-fault state for auto insurance, it does not mean drivers are not required to have an auto insurance policy. The required car insurance coverage for Florida drivers is:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in the amount of $10,000
- Property Damage Liability in the amount of $10,000
The above is the minimum coverage required in Florida. However, many drivers do not have insurance coverage. As a result, Florida was ranked as having the sixth highest number of uninsured motorists in the nation in 2019.
Florida does not require drivers to have bodily injury coverage. Bodily injury liability insurance pays damages to accident victims for crashes that you cause.
Likewise, Florida law does not require you to purchase uninsured motorist insurance. However, that does not mean you should forego this important auto insurance coverage.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Even though Florida is a no-fault state, you can sue an at-fault driver for damages if you sustain severe injuries. Florida Statute §627.737 defines serious injuries for tort claims. Accident victims can sue for economic and non-economic damages if they sustain any of these injuries.
However, if the other driver does not have bodily injury insurance, you might not receive anything for your claim. Filing a personal injury lawsuit does not guarantee you receive payment for damages.
If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you might receive compensation from your auto insurance company. UM insurance pays your damages caused by an uninsured driver or hit-and-run driver. However, insurance carriers often dispute uninsured motorist claims.
Filing an Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claim
If you are injured in an auto accident caused by an uninsured driver, report the accident to the police. Seek immediate medical care for your injuries.
Notify your insurance company that you were injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver and file a claim. The company should assign an insurance adjuster to investigate the claim.
Uninsured motorist coverage compensates you for your damages as if your insurance company represents the at-fault driver. However, your insurance company could dispute the claim because:
- You failed to prove that the other driver caused the car accident
- Your injuries do not meet the serious injury threshold
- You failed to mitigate damages by seeking prompt medical treatment
- You are partially to blame for the cause of the accident (contributory fault)
- You failed to prove the value of your damages
You have the burden of proving the elements of negligence (i.e., duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages). If you cannot prove your claim, your insurance company might deny your claim for uninsured motorist coverage.
If you prove your claim and establish damages, you could receive compensation for your:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent impairments
- Emotional distress
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Mental anguish
- A decrease in your quality of life and loss of enjoyment of life
Our Tampa uninsured motorist claims attorneys fight insurance companies who deny UM claims.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Tampa Uninsured Motorist Claims Lawyers
You deserve fair compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial losses. Let us help. Contact us to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our experienced Tampa uninsured motorist claims lawyers.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of car accident claims in Tampa, including:
- Distracted driving accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Highway crashes
- Intersection crashes
- Lane change accidents
- Left turn accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Recreational vehicle accidents
- Red and yellow light crashes
- Road defects
- Rollover accidents
- Self-driving accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Speeding accidents
- U-turn crashes
- Airbag injuries
- Chest injuries
Additional Car Accident Resources
- Can I Be Compensated for Pre-Existing Conditions After a Car Accident in Tampa?
- Can I Be Reimbursed For Lost Wages After a Car Accident?
- Car Accident FAQs
- Car Accident Liability
- Car Color & Crash Risk in the Tampa Bay Area
- Common Car Accident Scenarios in Tampa- Causes & Determining Fault
- Defective Tire Car Accidents in Tampa, FL
- Florida Car Accident Claims Process
- How Long Will My Car Accident Case Take To Settle in Tampa, FL?
- Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Tampa
- Passenger Negligence
- Questions To Ask a Lawyer After a Car Accident
- Tampa Car Accident Statistics
- What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
- vWhat To Do After a Car Accident?
- Who Is at Fault for My Tampa Car Accident?
- Who Will Pay My Medical Bills After a Car Accident?