Most people don’t expect to suffer major financial setbacks after car crashes. Instead, they trust that insurance can help them limit their losses. Generally speaking, that is a reasonable expectation. Florida state statutes require a combination of no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) for medical expenses and liability coverage.
Every driver generally has $10,000 in no-fault PIP coverage to help pay for their care costs after a collision. Regardless of who is at fault, their policy can cover their losses. If their expenses are higher than that, they can potentially hold the driver at fault for the crash responsible for covering any remaining losses. The state also requires property damage liability coverage.
Unfortunately, some drivers do not carry the insurance that the state requires of them. How likely are people to end up in a crash caused by an uninsured driver?
The odds are higher than people realize
While the vast majority of people are responsible and make every reasonable effort to comply with the law, a few bad apples really can ruin the whole bushel. A significant portion of drivers lack proper coverage, which leaves the average motorist in Florida at risk of a crash where they cannot file a liability insurance claim.
Florida has a relatively high rate of uninsured motorists based on claims data from 2022. Roughly 15.9% of drivers in the Sunshine State do not have the insurance coverage mandated by state law. Roughly one in six drivers across the state doesn’t have the insurance required by law.
When those people cause crashes, the other individuals involved in those wrecks can end up without the financial support they need. Even if the driver at fault has insurance, they may not have bodily injury liability coverage, which may mean that the other people involved in the crash have few options for covering their medical bills and recovering their lost wages after a wreck.
Thankfully, personal injury statutes protect people’s rights to pursue compensation and hold uninsured drivers accountable for the results of a crash they caused. Those coping with major losses from a motor vehicle crash caused by an uninsured driver may need help exploring their options. Filing a lawsuit might be the only viable option available to those hurt by drivers without sufficient insurance coverage.