Learning that the driver who hit you has no insurance can raise an immediate concern: who will pay for the injuries and damage? The answer begins with a careful review of the coverage that actually exists.
Do not rely only on what someone said at the scene. An insurance card, a missing card, or a driver’s statement does not settle every question about applicable coverage.
Review your own policy
Ask for the declarations page and the complete policy. A declarations page usually identifies coverage types and limits, but the policy contains the terms that control how those coverages apply.
Personal Injury Protection, uninsured motorist coverage, and collision coverage serve different purposes. A payment for your vehicle does not necessarily resolve your injury claim.
What uninsured motorist coverage can do
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, often called UM, may provide benefits for covered injuries when the responsible driver has no applicable bodily injury insurance or insufficient coverage.
Whether it applies depends on your policy and the circumstances. Limits, exclusions, the people insured, and other requirements need review. UM should not be described as an automatic payment for every crash or as ordinary vehicle-repair coverage.
What if you do not have UM?
That does not end the investigation. A lawyer may examine whether another responsible person or company has applicable coverage. For example, a crash involving a driver working at the time may raise additional questions about responsibility and insurance.
A claim directly against the responsible person may also need evaluation. A legally valid claim and the practical ability to collect money are separate issues.
Preserve the facts and correspondence
Save the crash report, photographs, driver information, witness contacts, and communications with every insurer. Note whether the vehicle was a delivery vehicle, company vehicle, rental, or rideshare vehicle; those details can help guide the investigation.
Consult before signing a release that may affect other coverage. In underinsured motorist matters, coordination with the UM insurer can be important.
Call Gonzalez Muñoz Law at 305-770-6666 for a free consultation about an uninsured-driver accident in Miami or North Miami Beach. Bring the insurance documents you have so we can discuss which questions need to be answered.
Related reading
- Who Pays Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Florida?
- Insurance Won’t Pay After a Car Accident? How to Read the Denial
- Car accident representation in Miami and North Miami Beach
Official references
- Florida Statutes § 627.727 — uninsured motorist coverage
- Florida Department of Financial Services — Automobile Insurance
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is different; past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.