As a society, people have largely agreed to accept certain risks. Close, face-to-face interactions come with the risk of communicable disease but are often worth the bonds people develop and the efficiency of such interactions. Motor vehicle transportation comes with the constant risk of a life-altering collision. People could end up injured by a garbage truck while backing out of their driveway or hurt by someone speeding and weaving through lanes of traffic on the highway.
One of the ways in which people put their minds at ease about the constant risk of a crash is by trusting that liability insurance coverage will cover their losses in the event of an accident. Drivers are supposed to carry a combination of liability coverage and no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) when they choose to drive in Florida.
Unfortunately, there are always some people who intentionally break the rules, even though doing so may put others at risk. There are thousands of people driving in Florida without state-mandated insurance. What happens after a crash caused by a driver without appropriate coverage?
The hurt driver’s policy offers some protection
The person who needs to make an insurance claim can rely on their own policy for some support. If someone only carries what Florida requires of them, they should have $10,000 in PIP coverage. That coverage can help pay for medical expenses and even a portion of someone’s lost wages.
When a driver carries more robust coverage, they may have more PIP coverage and uninsured motorist protection. Drivers who add additional coverage to their policies may even have collision coverage to help repair their vehicles in addition to more protection for medical expenses and lost wages.
Uninsured drivers can end up in court
The intent of liability coverage is to protect someone from financial devastation if they cause losses for others. Those who do not invest in property insurance could end up held accountable for that failure in civil court.
Individuals with demonstrable financial losses after a car crash can theoretically pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the uninsured driver to blame for the wreck. Someone who doesn’t make bad driving decisions should not have to accept financial losses because of the shortcomings of another driver.
Understanding the rights that people have under Florida state law can benefit those who have been affected by collisions caused by drivers without insurance coverage. Legal guidance can be truly beneficial as well.