Despite a requirement for every driver to have some form of auto insurance in Florida, many drivers neglect to have any coverage. If you were injured as the result of an uninsured driver’s negligence, you may benefit from reaching out to a St. Augustine uninsured car accident lawyer.
Being in an accident could be a frightening and traumatic experience. Afterward, the idea of seeking recovery may seem intimidating. A compassionate car accident attorney could help you to demonstrate fault and make a persuasive claim for compensation.
Auto Insurance Laws in St. Augustine
In Florida, a valid driver’s insurance policy must provide a minimum of $30,000 for bodily injury protection. However, people still choose to ignore this law — usually to save money or due to a poor driving record. Any individual who drives without proper insurance, however, might be held personally liable for any damages that they cause on the road. This includes an obligation to pay for property damage, as well as to compensate accident victims for their physical, economic, and emotional damages.
Furthermore, many insurance policies offer a form of optional coverage meant to protect their drivers from the negligence of uninsured motorists. In these cases, an insurance company might pay the insured driver directly for their losses.
However, it might be difficult for an injured claimant to understand what compensation they may request and from whom, or how they could navigate the legal system in order to seek recovery. A seasoned uninsured car accident attorney in St. Augustine could help a hopeful claimant assess the facts of their collision with an uninsured driver.
Establishing Liability After a Car Crash
Before an at-fault party could be held accountable for an individual’s injuries, the claimant must first prove the uninsured driver was negligent. Similar to in any other injury case involving a car crash, this process involves establishing a duty of safety the driver owed the victim, demonstrating that this duty was breached, and that this breach led to an accident which caused the claimant’s injuries.
For example, negligence might be established through evidence that the defendant failed to yield, was texting while driving, or was simply distracted and thus caused a wreck. Whether the case involves filing a claim with a driver’s own insurance company or suing a defendant directly in court, a St. Augustine uninsured car accident lawyer could help build a case to establish negligence.
The Statute of Limitations to File An Accident Claim
Any claim for recovery is restricted by Florida’s statute of limitations. According to Florida Statute §95.11, a civil court case seeking recovery for a personal injury must be filed within four years of the date of the incident which led to the damages. Even in cases involving uninsured drivers, a claimant should try and meet this requirement to avoid a potential dismissal of their case.
Speak with a St. Augustine Uninsured Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident as the result of an uninsured driver’s negligence, trying to collect compensation confuse and intimidate you. Along with recovering from your injuries, you may be facing financial troubles and personal losses. A St. Augustine uninsured car accident lawyer might be able to help.
A dedicated attorney could fight to demonstrate negligence and seek the compensation you deserve, so that you may focus on your recovery. Call today to learn more about your options.