The aftermath of any car accident can be very upsetting. Car parts can be strewn across the road while the damaged vehicles sit broken down on the shoulder. Motorists and their passengers can be injured, immobile and very scared as they wait for ambulances or police officers to show up and help. There can be a lot of activity and anxiety.
This is why many motorists typically forget to or cannot take certain steps that should be taken after a crash. This can include getting insurance information from the other driver and figuring out what to do if that person is uninsured or does not have adequate coverage. While this doesn’t mean you are simply out of luck if you are the one who has been injured, it can be crucial to address the situation as soon as you are able with an attorney.
According to Florida statutes, motorists are supposed to have insurance coverage. However, too many people decide not to get insurance or choose to only get the minimum coverage provided. This means that in the event of an accident, you as the victim may not receive all the damages you are eligible to receive if the other driver is not sufficiently insured.
Additionally, you are entitled to have your own insurance to protect you in the event of an accident caused by an uninsured or under-insured motorist, which insurance companies are required to provide. You can elect to not purchase this insurance, but the insurance provider must thoroughly explain what this decision means and have a signed form in place noting this decision.
Unfortunately, there are instances when insurance companies will try to say you opted out of that coverage or chose to decrease your coverage limits even when you did not.
Trying to work through all this alone, especially when you are also trying to recover from serious injuries stemming from the accident, can be completely overwhelming. Because of how quickly this situation can turn into a complicated battle with insurance companies, it can be crucial to have the support, guidance and insight of an attorney familiar with these situations.