Richard A. Bokor, P.A.

Office Location:
230 E. Davis Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33606

Hablamos Español

Call Now For A No Obligation Consultation

(813) 251-1000

* NO FEES PAID, Unless We Recover Damages
Richard A. Bokor, P.A.

Driving is an unpredictable endeavor, and because of Florida’s no-fault insurance state, it can be even more so. Properly planning for the unpredictable can make an immense difference in peace of mind when you find yourself behind the wheel. Rather than contacting a car accident lawyer to seek advice, many consumers will trust the word of their auto insurance agent or choose the cheapest option for insurance. In Florida, drivers must purchase personal protection insurance (PPI coverage), but 25% of drivers on the road in Florida do not carry any auto insurance. Since Florida is a no-fault state, minor accidents are the responsibility of the parties’ respective insurance agencies. If the other driver does not carry auto insurance, it will be challenging to recuperate the full damages you are owed from the accident.

Luckily, a safeguard for this precise scenario is available. By consulting a Tampa auto accident attorney with experience in the field, they can advise you on the options available. The insurance company may not have made clear that there is coverage available specifically applying to accidents involving an uninsured motorist or the parameters that go along with them. In this already murky field, specific benefits and drawbacks to different insurance plans and policies make it even more confusing. In Florida, uninsured motorist coverage protects you from relying solely on your insurance to cover the full range of damages caused by the crash.

The PPI coverage discussed earlier usually only covers $10,000 for any medical expenses and accident-related damage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) comes into use when that $10,000 is exhausted, and you must file a suit against the other driver to recover the remaining damages owed to you. However, Florida does not require motorists to purchase bodily injury coverage, which insures against the injuring of someone else in a crash. Since many drivers choose not to add this coverage to their plan to save costs, your lawsuit and the amount of recovered damages rely squarely on the defending party’s ability to pay out-of-pocket.

Uninsured motorist coverage in Florida is only available when you have already purchased bodily injury coverage. If the individual you bring a case against is unable to pay the full amount or has an insufficient amount of bodily injury insurance to cover your costs, your UIM coverage would be available to supplement whatever amount you receive in the case. However, the amount of uninsured motorist coverage you are allowed to purchase corresponds with the level of bodily injury coverage you possess. For example, if you have $25,000 in bodily injury insurance, that is the same amount of uninsured motorist coverage you will be allowed to purchase. While you can only purchase up to the corresponding amount of BI insurance in UIM coverage, you may also buy less than the amount if you prefer.

At this point, a car accident lawyer in Florida may be able to help supplement the information given to you by the insurance agent who was initially selling you on your coverage. After purchasing UIM coverage, it is used by filing a claim against your insurance agency in order to claim your benefits. This can only happen after the funds of the defending party and your PPI insurance have run out. Peace of mind is valuable, and behind the wheel in Florida, it can be priceless with such a high percentage of uninsured drivers. An attorney knowledgeable in the Tampa area can help you decide what level of uninsured motorist coverage will be adequate for your situation. They will also assist in filing the claim against your insurance agency and ensuring you receive the maximum available benefits when attempting to recover the damages ensuing from an auto accident.

If you are involved in an auto accident, issues of insurance and liability are not always straightforward. Alongside this, the expenses accrued from medical costs, lost wages, mental and emotional pain, and property damage can accumulate and become overwhelming very quickly. Becoming informed and making the right decision before purchasing your next auto insurance policy in Florida is crucial. There is no sense in taking the risk of being inadequately prepared for the unexpected. Don’t wait until being involved in an accident before researching and reaching out to seek advice. Finding an experienced Tampa auto accident attorney can be the key when filing any number of claims you may have. They can help guide you through the often confusing and complicated process in Florida and be a knowledgeable resource informing you how best to use your insurance coverage. Don’t hesitate and wait until the moment to safeguard you and your family has passed. Planning for the unexpected requires proactive measures to be put into place. After an accident or for any questions you may have about uninsured motorist coverage, contact the Law Firm of Richard A. Bokor, P.A., for the advice of a seasoned and knowledgeable auto accident attorney.

Richard A. Bokor, P.A.

Call Now For A No Obligation Consultation
(813) 251-1000
* NO FEES PAID, Unless We Recover Damages

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