A collision can be stressful enough before you learn that the driver who caused it has little or no bodily injury liability coverage. Your medical treatment may be ongoing, and missed work can add pressure to your household finances. Uninsured/underinsured car accidents in DeLand can make the path to compensation unclear because the at-fault driver may not have enough insurance to cover the harm caused.
A knowledgeable car crash attorney can review the available policies and explain whether your uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may apply. At Rue & Ziffra, we investigate the crash and examine the insurance issues that could affect your recovery. We can also handle communication with insurers so you can focus on your health.
When an auto policy includes bodily injury liability coverage, the insurer generally must provide UM coverage unless the named insured rejects it in writing or chooses lower limits under Florida Statutes § 627.727. The law also recognizes a claim when the at-fault driver has bodily injury limits that are less than the damages suffered by the injured person.
After a vehicle collision in DeLand, learning that the responsible driver is uninsured or underinsured can shift attention to your own policy as a possible source of recovery. UM or UIM coverage may help pay damages that are not covered by other available benefits, up to the applicable policy limits. You must still review the policy carefully because the amount of available coverage can depend on the selections made when it was issued or renewed.
The state’s no-fault system generally requires injured motorists to turn first to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for covered losses. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.736, PIP can provide medical and disability benefits after a motor vehicle crash. You generally must receive initial medical treatment within 14 days for these benefits to be available.
When an uninsured or underinsured motorist causes a wreck in DeLand, PIP may address only part of the resulting losses. The at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage may also fall short. In that situation, available UIM coverage can help bridge the difference between other benefits and the damages you sustained, subject to the policy terms and limits. Florida law also limits recovery of pain and suffering through UM coverage to injuries that meet the threshold.
A UM or UIM claim still requires proof that the other driver was legally responsible for the crash and that the collision caused your injuries. Medical records can help document the connection between the wreck and your condition. The crash report and other evidence may help establish how the collision occurred.
When you suffer injuries in a DeLand car crash and the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured, the available insurance documents can determine which sources of recovery may apply. Our team can examine policy declarations and coverage forms to determine what protection was purchased. We can also review the at-fault driver’s insurance and calculate the remaining unpaid losses. If the insurer disputes liability or the amount of damages, Rue & Ziffra can negotiate for a fair resolution and prepare the case for litigation when necessary.
Uninsured/underinsured car accidents in DeLand can create difficult coverage questions while you are recovering from an injury. Rue & Ziffra has more than 50 years of experience helping injured people understand their legal options and pursue compensation when another driver causes harm.
We are your local injury attorneys, in your community and on your side. Contact Rue & Ziffra today for a free consultation. We can review your coverage and explain the next steps for pursuing a UM or UIM claim.
Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers
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