If you or your family member are injured in a car accident in Florida, the chances are nearly 1 in 4 that the at-fault driver doesn't have the insurance to cover your injuries, according to a new national study.
It is important to remember that Florida law does not require a driver to purchase bodily injury liability insurance. Thus, many drivers elect not to purchase this coverage. This is why purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is so important. If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident because of the negligence of an uninsured motorist, you will be able to seek compensation under your uninsured motorist benefits. Without it, you could be left responsible for some of your medical expenses and most of your lost wages.
The Insurance Research Council ranks Florida in the top five of uninsured motorists states with an estimated 24 percent of Florida's drivers are uninsured, based on its national study of uninsured motorist insurance clams in relation to bodily injury claims.
"Despite laws in many states requiring drivers to maintain insurance, about 1 in 7 motorists remains uninsured," Insurance Research Council Senior Vice President Elizabeth Sprinkel said in a statement accompanying the study. "This forces responsible drivers who carry insurance to bear the burden of paying for injuries caused by drivers who carry no insurance at all." Sprinkel said it is "an unfortunate consequence of the economic downturn and illustrates how virtually everyone is affected by recent economic developments."
Click here to read an article in Florida Today on how a car accident caused by an uninsured motorist changed the life of a young woman. To prevent this from happening to you, check your automobile insurance policy today to make sure that you are carrying uninsured motorist coverage before you are involved in a car accident.
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Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes has been representing those injured in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents and other types of crashes for nearly 20 years. His Clearwater personal injury law firm -- Perenich Caulfield Avril & Noyes -- has been caring for clients since 1955. Click here to schedule a free case consultation with Attorney Matthew Noyes to better understand your rights after a car accident.
