Our car accident attorneys at The Black Law Company are highly skilled in handling all types of personal injury cases. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and don’t have uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, we strongly recommend contacting our firm for a consultation.
UM stands for Uninsured Motorist coverage, and UIM stands for Underinsured Motorist coverage. In Florida, you can purchase UM/UIM coverage as a combined insurance plan. This coverage protects you if the at-fault driver has little or no liability insurance to cover your injuries or damages. Since Florida is a no-fault state, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance should cover some medical expenses and lost wages. But if your expenses exceed your PIP coverage and the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, you can file a claim under your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) policy.
Let’s say you were involved in a car accident and accumulated $50,000 in medical bills and lost wages. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you might be left responsible for covering your expenses. Florida ranks fifth in the nation for uninsured drivers, with only about 75% of drivers carrying insurance. If you’re in an accident with one of these uninsured drivers, it could be financially devastating.
To protect yourself, you need to ensure you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which is required by Florida law. PIP covers 80% of medical bills for injuries sustained in an accident. But what happens to the remaining 20% of your bills? Or the wages you’ve lost due to your injury? To protect yourself fully, consider adding Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage to your policy. Though it’s optional in Florida, having UM/UIM coverage offers you additional protection if the at-fault driver has no or inadequate insurance.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is a contract between you and your insurance company, designed to protect you if you’re injured by a driver without sufficient insurance. In most UM/UIM insurance policies, your insurer steps in to cover your injuries and pain if the at-fault driver is uninsured.
While this may seem like a great safety net, it’s not an automatic payout. Compensation won’t be issued right after the accident. You’ll need to provide proof of your medical care, pain, suffering, and other related expenses. Additionally, you must demonstrate that another driver’s negligence caused the accident and that your injuries are severe.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage can help cover medical costs such as initial treatment, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic testing, and medications. It also provides protection for your family members and passengers in some cases.
Underinsured motorist coverage steps in when the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t enough to cover your medical expenses. In Florida, this coverage is optional, but it’s strongly recommended.
Yes, a hit-and-run accident, where the at-fault driver flees the scene, may be covered by your UM/UIM policy. This type of insurance often provides coverage in hit-and-run cases, helping you recover damages for medical expenses and vehicle repairs. If you’ve been in a hit-and-run accident, it’s crucial to pull over to a safe spot, take notes of the incident, and call the police to report the accident.
Never chase the fleeing driver.
Note the vehicle’s make, color, and license plate, if possible.
File a report immediately.
Eyewitnesses may provide details you missed.
Document damage to your car and any injuries.
Report the accident and provide all the details.
Contact The Black Law Company for guidance on your legal options.
UM/UIM coverage helps pay for medical expenses if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.
You won’t need to worry about being financially responsible for another driver’s lack of coverage.
This coverage compensates you for lost wages and other non-medical expenses, such as pain and suffering.
You can “stack” UM coverage across multiple vehicles, giving you extra protection.
UM coverage is generally inexpensive, especially if you have a good driving record.
The only downside is the extra cost of adding UM/UIM coverage to your insurance policy. However, the benefits often outweigh this minimal additional expense.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, it’s essential to consult an attorney. The Black Law Company has years of combined experience and can help you through this difficult time. Contact us at 813-321-7380 for a free consultation.