The Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimates that approximately one out of every four Florida drivers is uninsured. Many more Florida drivers are underinsured which means that they have minimum limits of insurance coverage and this coverage is most likely inadequate if they injure you in a Sarasota or Bradenton motor vehicle accident. This is why it is very important to purchase uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage. If you have UM/UIM insurance, your accident-related expenses can be covered up to the limits of that coverage. In addition to medical bills, uninsured motorist coverage can cover lost wages and loss of earning capacity. Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage can also help cover your injuries if you were a bicyclist or pedestrian involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
UM Insurance and Hit & Run Accidents:
Because Florida has no bodily injury insurance requirement, UM insurance is very important. So many times, an injured Sarasota or Bradenton auto accident victim will not receive adequate compensation because there is not enough insurance money to cover the medical expenses. UM/UIM insurance can cover you if you sustain injuries from a Sarasota or Bradenton hit and run accident. Even if the at-fault driver flees the scene of the accident and is never found, your UM/UIM insurance will cover you for the injuries you sustain. In the case of a hit and run accident, UM/UIM insurance is a necessity. Basic PIP (personal injury protection) insurance only covers up to $10,000.00 in medical bills and lost wages, but $10,000.00 doesn't go very far especially if you have sustained significant injuries. On emergency room visit alone can eat up all the PIP money.
Florida Auto Insurance Law:
Florida law does not require drivers to carry bodily injury coverage. Many drivers only carry the minimum requirement of $10,000.00 in PIP coverage. If you have sustained serious or catastrophic injuries in a Sarasota or Bradenton motor vehicle accident and you have over $100,000.00 in bills and you only have minimal coverage, you could be in serious financial trouble for years to come.
Stacking UM/UIM Coverage:
Stacking coverage increases in amount for each vehicle you own and also protects relatives who live with you. The "stacking" should be the same amount as your bodily injury insurance coverage. For example, if you request $100,000/200.000 in bodily injury coverage, and you have two vehicles on your insurance policy, you have $200,000/400,000 in total UM coverage.
Sarasota and Bradenton Personal Injury Attorneys:
If you have been injured in a Sarasota or Bradenton motor vehicle accident, please contact the personal injury attorneys at the Michael L. Morgan Law Group, P.A. at (941) 218-8220. Please consider purchasing UM/UIM insurance in addition to bodily injury insurance as Florida is home to many uninsured and underinsured drivers. Also, don't try to settle your personal injury claim without the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney. The attorneys at the Michael L. Morgan Law Group, P.A., have years of experience dealing with insurance adjusters and know that they will try to get you to settle your claim for as little money as possible. We will work to obtain the best possible compensation on your behalf. Please call us to schedule a free consultation.
