What Happens If You Get Into A Car Accident Without Insurance In Florida

If you’re the victim of a car accident in Florida and you don’t have insurance, you may need to take extra steps to protect your rights and receive the compensation you need. Here’s an overview of what happens if you get into a car accident in Florida and you don’t have insurance.

Florida’s Insurance Requirements

Florida requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance and Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance. PIP insurance covers 80 percent of the medical expenses you incur as a result of a covered injury, regardless of who caused the accident. PDL insurance covers damage that you, or someone else driving your insured vehicle, caused to another person’s property. 

Florida requires drivers to have the following amounts of insurance coverage:

• $10,000 in PIP insurance (Personal Injury Protection)
• $10,000 in PDL insurance (Property Damage Liability)

Vehicles registered as taxis must have the following amounts of coverage:

• Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person and $250,000 per occurrence
• $50,000 in PDL insurance 

Even if you are not driving your vehicle or if your vehicle is inoperable, you’re still required to have continuous coverage. You also must purchase your insurance policy from an insurance carrier that’s licensed to conduct business in Florida. 

If you are driving without the required coverage, you could face legal penalties. Though you may not be at fault for any accidents, you will still be held responsible for failure to meet Florida’s insurance requirements.

Steps To Take After an Accident If You Don’t Have Insurance

If you’re involved in an accident without insurance, the first thing you should do is ensure your safety and the safety of others. Move to a safe location as soon as you can, and check for injuries. Then contact the police to report the accident and seek help. 

After ensuring your safety, exchange information with the other driver. Be sure to collect their insurance information. You should also gather evidence such as photos of damage, witness contact information and a copy of the police report. 

Even if you don’t feel injured, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is because some injuries may appear later. Seeking early treatment can help ensure you properly treat any injuries you may have. Furthermore, documentation of your medical treatment can support your case if you pursue a claim or lawsuit. 

Legal Consequences for Driving Without Insurance

Though you may not be responsible for the accident, you can still face severe penalties for driving without the insurance that Florida requires. You may face fines, suspension of your driver’s license and the revocation of your vehicle registration. It’s therefore important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney if you find yourself in an accident without insurance.

Medical and Property Damage Costs

As an uninsured driver, your access to coverage for medical and property damage is limited. Typically, your PIP insurance would cover your medical expenses up to a certain amount, but without this coverage, you may be left with significant out-of-pocket costs. While you can seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance, their coverage might not fully cover your losses. 

Comparative Negligence 

Florida follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by that amount. For example, if you were 30% at fault, any settlement you receive may be reduced by 30%. It’s also important to note that Floria’s comparative negligence rule doesn’t allow you to receive compensation if you are more than 50% at fault. 

Can You Sue the At-Fault Driver?

In Florida, you can sue the at-fault driver for compensation beyond what their insurance covers, such as pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages. Since the process of pursuing a lawsuit can be lengthy and costly, you may want to consider other avenues first. Your personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and identify if and when it would be best to file a lawsuit.

What If the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Coverage Is Insufficient?

In some cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance may not be sufficient to cover all your damages, especially if you have severe injuries from the accident. To avoid this type of situation, you should have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage. However, if you don’t have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, you may be left with limited ways to collect the compensation you need.

Financial Impact and Long-Term Consequences

The financial impact of driving without insurance in Florida extends beyond the immediate costs of an accident. Without insurance, you are responsible for all medical expenses, vehicle repairs and other related costs.

Moreover, the lack of insurance can negatively affect your driving record, potentially leading to increased insurance premiums if you decide to obtain coverage in the future. Additionally, the penalties for driving without insurance, such as fines and license suspension, can have long-lasting effects on your financial stability and ability to drive legally in the state.

How to Protect Yourself

If you find yourself in an accident without insurance, consider consulting with a lawyer who specializes in car accidents and uninsured motorist claims. A legal professional can help you understand your rights, assess your options for compensation and identify the best course of action.

Document all your damages and keep thorough records of any medical treatments, repair costs and lost wages. Most importantly, take the necessary steps to obtain insurance as soon as possible. Not only will this protect you from future legal and financial risks, but it will also provide peace of mind knowing you are covered in the event of another accident.

Working With A Personal Injury Attorney

One of the best ways to protect your rights and increase your chances of a favorable outcome is to work with a personal injury attorney. Most personal injury attorneys–including Kogan & DiSalvo Personal Injury Lawyers–work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront costs. Instead, your lawyer will take a percentage of the settlement or judgment that you win. If you don’t win anything, they don’t get paid.

We Can Help You If You’ve Been In An Accident

If you’ve been in a car accident, you deserve to be fairly compensated regardless of whether or not you have insurance. For a free case evaluation, contact us at Kogan & DiSalvo Personal Injury Lawyers today. Our experienced team is committed to helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve.