Personal Assets, Uninsured Drivers, and Being Made Whole After an Injury
Being injured in a car accident is stressful enough, but learning that the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance can make matters feel even worse. Unfortunately, despite Florida’s insurance requirements, uninsured and underinsured drivers are more common than many realize.
But you may still have options for financial recovery. In some cases, the personal assets of the uninsured driver can help you recover financially and physically after an accident. To be sure you are made whole after a collision, connect with a Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Lawyer.
What Being Made Whole Means
The concept of being made whole refers to the goal of restoring an accident victim to the financial and physical condition they were in before the crash. In other words, you shouldn’t have to bear the cost of someone else’s negligence.
Being made whole can include:
- Medical expenses. Emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and medication
- Lost income. Wages lost while recovering, or diminished earning capacity due to long-term injury
- Property damage. Repairs or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the accident
Insurance is usually the first source of this compensation, but when the at-fault driver doesn’t have coverage, victims must look for other legal avenues to achieve fairness.
Florida law requires drivers to carry minimum levels of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability coverage, but not bodily injury liability insurance. That means if you’re seriously hurt by an uninsured driver, your own insurance may cover initial expenses, up to $10,000, but it rarely goes far enough.
When an at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, an attorney can help identify whether that individual has personal assets that could satisfy a judgment. These assets might include investment property, vehicles, savings accounts, and business interests or income sources.
Suing an Uninsured Driver
Should your damages exceed what your insurance covers, an injury lawyer may recommend filing a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. After a successful verdict, the court may allow you to collect compensation through wage garnishment, property liens, or other means if the driver has sufficient personal assets.
Yet it’s important to note that many uninsured drivers lack significant assets, which can limit recovery. That’s why it’s crucial to also explore other options, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage under your own auto policy. This type of insurance can provide an additional safety net when the other driver cannot pay.
Just because a driver was uninsured, that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be left with the bills. With the help of a knowledgeable Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Lawyer, you can assess every available path toward being made whole.
How will you access the relief you need? Your recovery shouldn’t depend on whether a driver in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Stuart, or Vero Beach chose to follow the law or not. The attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez can ensure that you are fully compensated. Call 561-660-9421 to schedule a confidential consultation.
