If the at-fault driver doesn’t carry any insurance, what are your options?
If you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver, you should take the time to visit a doctor. Your injuries may not show up right away, but they may take weeks or even months. In addition, your medical bills may increase. Loss of PIP coverage is another possibility.
You can try to reach the other driver’s insurance company and pass the information along. However, you should be aware that some insurance companies may want to record your conversation to save money. You should avoid this type of interaction unless you have a good reason to. When in doubt, call your insurance provider or an Injury Lawyer.
Read on to learn more about what to expect. You may also lose your driver’s license.
Increased Premiums
If you get into an accident and are found to be the at-fault driver, you will likely have to pay higher insurance premiums. Your insurer may deem you a high-risk driver due to past claims.
You might also have multiple traffic violations on your record, which earns points on your license. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to lower your insurance rates.
- Pay a higher premium. If the at-fault driver didn’t have auto insurance in Florida, you’d likely have to pay a higher premium. Florida requires that all drivers have minimum liability coverage and personal injury protection coverage, which is $10,000. Personal injury protection coverage is an additional requirement in Florida but is necessary because the state is a no-fault state. This coverage will pay for medical bills and other expenses, no matter who was involved in an accident.
- Deductible Is Important. The deductible plays a significant role in auto insurance premiums in Florida. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. But beware – a higher deductible may result in higher out-of-pocket costs after an accident. Usually, car insurance policies use statistics to determine premiums, but pay-per-mile policies are usage-based and affordable for people who rarely drive.
Most insurance companies follow the standards set by the Insurance Services Office, which allows insurers to increase rates by 20 to 40 percent after an accident. Increasing your deductible can reduce your monthly premium, but you’ll have to put aside a large amount of money before insurance.
Suspension Of Driver’s License
While driving without insurance is illegal in Florida, it is also negligent. If you are involved in a car accident and don’t have auto insurance, your license will be suspended for up to 20 years. You must prove to the court that you have auto insurance in Florida before you can drive again. However, it can be challenging to prove that you have insurance coverage.
- License suspension. If you have been arrested for DUI, your license will likely be suspended. You’ll likely receive a ticket without auto insurance and be forced to surrender your vehicle registration and vehicle tags. In some cases, you may even be fined between $150 and $500. Depending on the circumstances, you may have the option of requesting a hearing to prove that you do have insurance.
- License and tags loss. In addition to fines, suspension of a driver’s license when at-fault drivers don’t have auto insurance in Florida may result in the loss of their license and vehicle tags. They may also face criminal penalties. In Florida, they must surrender their license plates and registration within 30 days after the accident. If the driver was at fault in the accident, they must pay for medical bills and vehicle damage. Moreover, the at-fault driver’s license can be suspended for three years.
- Entitled to compensation. The other driver involved in the accident is likely to be entitled to compensation for their injuries. This may include medical bills, car damage, lost wages, and future medical costs. In some cases, the victim of a collision with an uninsured driver may be able to file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. In addition to monetary compensation, you may also be able to recover damages for pain and suffering.
Loss Of PIP Coverage
In Florida, personal injury protection (PIP) is required for drivers who don’t carry automobile insurance. This type of reliable coverage pays for other parties’ medical expenses in an accident, up to a limit of ten thousand dollars.
Besides paying medical expenses, PIP covers funeral expenses and substitute services. However, PIP doesn’t cover damage to a vehicle. Collision coverage pays for repairs in the event of a crash.
- PIP covers medical expenses and lost wages. PIP coverage pays for your medical bills and lost wages in Florida when the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance. It’s mandatory, but not enough. In many cases, PIP is not enough to cover medical costs. You have to contact your insurance company immediately to get PIP benefits when this happens. The insurer may even ask you to add a household member to your insurance plan.
- An at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy doesn’t cover injuries. In some cases, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy does not provide enough PIP coverage to protect your passengers’ injuries. However, Florida law requires all drivers to carry at least PIP insurance to avoid being left stranded. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have auto insurance, it can be a significant headache to make repairs and collect insurance payments.
- Sue for compensation. You can sue for compensation if your PIP coverage is lost due to an uninsured driver. Even if you win a judgment against an uninsured driver, collecting it can be lengthy and expensive. In addition, you may have to endure garnishment of wages and liens to collect a judgment against the uninsured driver. If you don’t have the means to pay, you may be stuck with a hefty bill.
Increased Costs Of Collision Coverage
When the at-fault driver doesn’t have car insurance, your car insurance rates may go up by two-and-a-half times. Some estimates say that an average rate of $2,000 can increase after an accident.
You must shop around for cheap car insurance by comparing rates from several companies. You can also opt to buy coverage from USAA, but this option is limited to active military personnel.
- Coverage minimum. The minimum amount of coverage required by Florida law is just $10,000. In other words, if you’re a Florida resident and you’re in a car accident, your collision coverage will be boosted by two-and-a-half times. In addition, Florida requires drivers to surrender their license plates before canceling insurance coverage. Failure to do so could result in a suspension of your license and a $500 reinstatement fee. Also, if the at-fault driver doesn’t have auto insurance, you’ll be liable for his policy.
- Collision insurance covers car damage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car and the at-fault driver’s car. On the other hand, comprehensive coverage covers costs for road service, rental reimbursement, and towing. You’ll also need collision coverage if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have auto insurance in Florida. You should consider whether your auto insurance policy is sufficient for this situation.
- The average increase in auto insurance rates. The average increase in auto insurance rates for Florida drivers with no auto insurance is higher than the national average. A hit-and-run accident is almost double the cost of a typical auto accident. That’s an enormous difference. While it’s frustrating to pay a higher rate for car insurance, it’s vital to remember that you’re the one who was at fault in the accident. There are ways to protect yourself from these higher costs. First, move your vehicle to a safe location at the accident scene. Also, move your car out of the flow of traffic if possible.
Final verdict
If you are looking for an experienced attorney to help you with your automobile insurance claim, consider contacting the Ovadia Law Group in South Florida.
With offices in Boca Raton and Fort Myers, you can be sure to get the best representation possible. The attorneys are available to help you throughout, from filing claims to negotiating settlements.
While you search for skilled Car accident lawyers near me for a free consultation, the Ovadia Law Group is just a click or phone call away. Their lawyers will also guarantee that you obtain the money you deserve. They have Miami, Boca Raton, Fort Myers, and Orlando. The company represents Florida vehicle accident victims and specializes in premises liability and pedestrian accidents.
Abraham S. Ovadia has handled thousands of personal injury claims. He is also an active part of the legal community, giving to the Legal Aid Society of South Florida and assisting the Fort Myers region.
Contact their executives at 1-800-674-9396, and their skilled personal injury attorneys are always available to help 24*7, 365 days.
