West Palm Beach Uninsured Motorist Attorney
Florida drivers racked up over two billion miles on the roads in 2014, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. During that time on the road, there were 2,336 fatal accidents. And, traffic fatalities went on the rise in 2015, with preliminary estimates reporting alarming numbers. During the first six months of 2015, there was a 29 percent increase in fatal Florida traffic collisions, according to an article in the My Palm Beach Post. The increase in collisions, injuries, and fatalities is largely due to more people on the road because of a growing economy and cheap gas. However, that does not excuse the negligent driving that is leading to the deaths of so many Florida citizens. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of Florida drivers take to the roads with only half their attention, or less, at the task at hand. More and more people fail to resist the temptation to glance at a text while driving, or become distracted in another way, become aggressive, or operate their vehicle while intoxicated. Just as inconsiderate are the millions of Florida drivers that do not have auto insurance, meaning that their negligent actions may not only result in your or your family’s injury, but that they will not be able to compensate you for your damages.
West Palm Beach Uninsured Motorists Accident Attorney
Car accidents are terrifying and can be very traumatic. Auto accident victims are often seriously injured in these crashes, and can sustain heavy damage to their vehicles. These dangers are why motorists are required to carry basic insurance coverage in Florida. Every driver is required to be insured, but many drivers ignore that law. When a motorist causes an accident, the other vehicle’s driver and passengers could suffer from the liable party’s lack of insurance. Florida drivers are encouraged to obtain uninsured motorist insurance to avoid such risks. However, sometimes accident victims have difficulty making claims with their own insurance companies on uninsured motorist policies. If you were recently in an auto accident with an uninsured driver, contact the reputable West Palm Beach uninsured motorist accident attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP. Our skilled personal injury attorneys can help you settle a claim with your insurance company.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Claims in Florida
Florida insurance companies are required by law to offer uninsured motorists coverage to their customers. Uninsured motorist policies are designed to cover damage caused by motorists who do not have the insurance to cover such costs. Though basic insurance coverage is required under Florida law, many uninsured drivers take to the roads each day. In fact, in 2011 the Insurance Research Council estimated that nearly one in seven American drivers are uninsured. This problem is especially prevalent throughout Florida. The Insurance Research Council reported that 24% of Florida drivers were uninsured in 2009. Uninsured motorist coverage is meant to guarantee that damage or injury caused by the uninsured driver is taken care of. That is, if an uninsured driver causes your auto accident and subsequent injuries or property damage, your uninsured driver coverage is supposed to pay for those costs. Contact our West Palm Beach uninsured accident attorneys for more information.
Even when a driver has purchased uninsured motorist protection, it can be difficult to make a claim with the insurance company. Large insurance companies are notorious for trying to avoid paying legitimate claims. When making your claim, your insurance company may try to provide less money than you are rightfully owed, or may fail to pay altogether. These companies may try to pin blame on you instead of the rightfully responsible party. Such tricks can cost you a lot of time, energy and money. You may have to jump through hoops just to make your claim, and there is no guarantee that your policy will be honored. If you live in West Palm Beach and your insurance company is refusing to pay on your uninsured motorist claim, contact a reputable insurance litigation firm for experienced legal help.
Who Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protect and What Does it Pay For?
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM coverage) protects everyone in your vehicle. It also protects your vehicle’s occupants in the event of a hit and run collision. UM coverage pays for medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages from the injuries (in some cases it can cover damages to your vehicle as well). Even if the other driver that caused the crash has insurance, it may not be enough. In this case, your UM coverage can be applied to the remaining damages. The amount of UM coverage you wish to purchase is up to you. UM coverage can range from $20,000 to $1 million. Considering how many drivers in Florida go without insurance, it may be a smart decision to err on the side of caution. Additionally, even those drivers that are legally driving with insurance may not have adequate coverage to pay for anything substantial. In Florida, the minimum coverage a driver needs is a $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) plan and a $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL) plan, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. PIP insurance does not cover members of other vehicles, meaning that if a driver with the minimum PIP coverage causes you serious harm, their PIP will not offer you any financial protection. Likewise, their minimum PDL coverage will only be used towards the damages of your vehicle, not your medical costs. Considering that a single night in a hospital’s’ Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can easily rack up to more than $10,000 by itself, reaching an underinsured motorists coverage limits can be very easy. Due to Florida’s lax laws on cell phone use, its high rate of fatal and serious traffic accidents, and its very low requirements for auto insurance (and the high rate of drivers who have none at all), it is incredibly likely that an accident will occur in your lifetime that was no fault of your own and the responsible party will not be able to cover the great financial burden that they put upon you.
Hire Experienced West Palm Beach Auto Accident Attorneys to Fight for You
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our aggressive trial attorneys have spent years showing insurance companies they cannot cheat customers. Our attorneys are experienced litigators and are confident fighting for your rights in the courtroom. We pride ourselves on offering affordable, high quality legal assistance to every client. Do not hesitate to call Pike & Lustig, LLP today. We will fight your insurance company for what rightfully belongs to you. Contact us today to speak with an attorney about your claim.
