Delray Beach Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Lawyer
If you are hurt in a Florida car accident, the majority of the time you will seek compensation from the negligent driver through his or her insurance company. State law requires that all drivers carry a minimum amount of car insurance to cover the losses of injured victims, but one issue is that not all motorists obey these laws. You could be in an unfortunate spot if the accident was caused by an motorist who lacks insurance coverage. In other situations, the responsible driver may carry the proper amount of insurance, but that coverage is not enough to compensate for your injuries. Even worse, the driver could flee the scene of the accident, fearing legal trouble for not having insurance.
Fortunately, Florida law requires motorists to carry a type of car insurance that protects you against these situations. At Leifer & Ramirez, our Delray Beach uninsured & underinsured motorist lawyers are dedicated to helping you navigate the complicated laws regarding this coverage, termed Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. You should not have to suffer additional misery after being injured in a car accident, and we are here to protect your rights.
How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works
PIP is a type of insurance coverage that is legally required in all policies, unless you waive the benefits in writing. If you have auto insurance and did not sign a waiver, you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. PIP is sometimes referred to as term “first party” insurance because you, as the insured, are the one that will file a claim with your own insurance company.
Filing a Claim under Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
PIP is available any time the other driver does not have insurance coverage or flees the scene of a car accident. You can also file an uninsured and underinsured claim if the other driver had the legally required coverage, but that amount does not fully compensate you for your losses. An underinsured motorist claim may be necessary if you suffered severe trauma, because your medical expenses alone may exceed the statutory minimum.
Recovering Compensation Under PIP
By law, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage will pay up to 80 percent of your medical bills and up to 60 percent of lost wages if you were unable to work after a car accident. However, there is a limit of $10,000 on these benefits. If a policyholder is killed in a car accident, PIP would pay up to $5,000 in death benefits to the next of kin.
Set Up an Appointment with a Delray Beach Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Lawyer
PIP coverage is intended to protect you in the event of a car accident, but the process of filing a claim can be complicated. Plus, you can get just as much push-back from your own insurance company as the responsible driver’s, so it is smart to have an experienced attorney to assist. For more information, please contact the Delray Beach uninsured and underinsured lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez. You can schedule a free consultation today by calling 561-660-9421 or filling out an online form.
