Uninsurd Drivers a Major Threat on Florida Roads
Nearly one in four drivers in Florida is uninsured, according to an estimate by the Insurance Research Council, a non-profit division of the Insurance Institute of America and the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters.
This is 50 percent above the national average of one in six drivers lacking insurance and drastically higher than the uninsured rate boasted by Massachusetts, the lowest in the country at one in 100 drivers. In fact, only four states top Florida in the percentage of drivers without insurance: Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi and New Mexico.
Of course, ranking fifth in the nation for uninsured drivers is nothing to brag about, and the problem is even worse when considering the large number of drivers who are underinsured, as opposed to simply uninsured.
Under Florida law, drivers are only required to carry basic insurance coverage for their own injuries and for property damage that they cause to another person's vehicle. Unfortunately, drivers are not required to buy insurance to cover bodily injuries that they may cause to other people.
Accordingly, while these drivers are technically insured, their insurance coverage is of little help to anyone they may injure in an accident, and therefore they are regarded as underinsured.
Preparing for the Unexpected
While no one wants to be in a car accident, the fact is that it happens to most of us at some point. With that in mind, it is important to be prepared for the very real possibility that you may be in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver - especially in Florida.
Since the costs associated with a serious injury can easily exceed the $10,000 no-fault cap, it is essential to protect yourself and your family with UM/UIM coverage. Check your insurance policy to make sure you have this coverage, and add it right away if you do not.
Finally, if you have been in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact an attorney as soon as possible. A Boca Raton personal injury lawyer with experience in car accident claims can help you explore your options and may be able to help you obtain compensation for your injuries.