Good Samaritans Save Truck Driver’s Life after Wreck
Good samaritans save truck driver’s life after wreck in Polk County. A semi-truck and a dump truck tangled. This caused the semi-truck driver to be partially ejected. The accident happened around 10:40 am, January 8, 2019. Some mechanics at a nearby shop came out and assisted the driver. Witnesses said a semi-truck pulling a tank trailer was heading west on Eagle Avenue when it went through a red light at U.S. 17 and hit the dump truck traveling north on U.S. 17.
A patron of a nearby barbershop ran outside after hearing the collision and called 911. He witnessed the mechanics helping the severely injured truck driver.
According to The Ledger, “They got both the drivers out and the driver of the semi-truck was bleeding heavily,” he said. “They ran to the shop and grabbed all their shop towels and held pressure on the man’s neck and chest injuries until help arrived. If it wasn’t for them, he most likely would have bled to death in the truck.”
Paramedics airlifted the semi-truck driver to the hospital. While they took the dump truck driver to the hospital by ambulance.
When Good Samaritans Help
Good Samaritans often save lives and make injuries less severe, and many times, they are the first on the scene. This means that they are in the best position to help save a life if time is of the essence. Pulling someone from a burning car or putting pressure on the severed artery. So even though many of these people are not trained, they can be life-savers.
What if the Good Samaritan Makes Things Worse?
Not being trained can put the well-meaning person in the position of causing further injury or even death. Making the choice between moving someone off the street or putting up flares to keep people off that section of the road is one such decision. Making the wrong one can have serious consequences.
The good news is, most states, including Florida, have Good Samaritan laws that provide legal protection for those who help out in emergency situations. There is one caveat, the actions of the person must be in line with those that a “reasonable and prudent person would do under the same or similar circumstances.”
This means that as long as the Good Samaritan acts reasonably and prudent, then if the victim dies or is further injured because of the person’s help, then the law will protect him or her form a lawsuit or criminal charges.
What if the Good Samaritan is Injured?
Unfortunately, it’s a real possibility because accident scenes are dangerous. There are two types of injuries to a Good Samaritan to consider. First when the injury comes from helping out such as damage to someone’s back for lifting, getting burned in a car fire. Then the person who was at fault for the accident might be liable for the Good Samaritan’s injuries.
The second scenario is when a new vehicle is unable to slow down and causes damage and inures the person. Then the Good Samaritan might be able to get compensated by the new at-fault driver.
Do I need an Attorney if I am Injured?
Always contact an attorney after any crash involving a serious injury or loss of a loved one.
RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”
Even if the case appears “open and shut” and a truck ran a red light, it makes sense to seek a free consultation from a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer.
Truck accidents often involve several parties such as the trucker, truck owner, trucking company and multiple insurers who have attorneys working for them to minimize claims.
Anyone injured due to the negligence of another driver in Florida should contact us for a free consultation. Our personal injury team will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Read More
When are Electric Scooters coming to Tampa?
Tampa is getting ready to welcome electric scooters to its streets as part of its new Shared Motorized Scooter Pilot Program. If all goes according to plan, around 2,000 e-scooters will be introduced into certain areas of Tampa in February 2019.
In October, Tampa’s city government announced they would be accepting applications from ride-sharing companies until November 9, 2018. No more than three electric scooter companies who meet Tampa’s safety requirements will be allowed to operate during this one-year pilot program.
According to BizJournals.com, a few of the big-name companies that have sent in their applications to Tampa include Bird, JUMP, and Skip. Other companies also vying for this position include Coast Bike Share, Sharp Marketing, RSA Consulting Group, and Skinny Labs.
One company conspicuously absent from the Tampa application list was Lime. Based in San Francisco, Lime is a leader in the e-scooter space. They have devices in hundreds of cities around the world. Floridians can currently ride on Lime e-scooters in cities like North Bay Village, Key Biscayne, and certain areas in Miami.
In addition, Tampa is looking into how these e-scooter companies promote safety through educational campaigns. Tampa officials want these companies to freely share financial data with the city. In fact, all companies that apply must also be financially stable. And, willing to share safety data with the city throughout the program.
During the pilot, city planners will allow no more than 300 e-scooters in each of the four designated areas in the city. The four locations participating in this pilot program include downtown and the areas north, east, and west of downtown.
One exception to this 300 e-scooter limit is the area between Martin Luther King Boulevard and East Columbus Drive. These streets could have up to 600 e-scooters.
Will electric scooters result in injuries?
To help increase street safety during this e-scooter rollout public safety officials are planning to create 180 designated areas where Tampa riders can place their e-scooters. One of the major issues surrounding e-scooter use in major cities has to do with parking. Like parking these devices in hazardous areas like on sidewalks.
In most cities, scooters must ride on streets or in bike lanes. However, in Tampa, scooters will likely only be ridden on sidewalks. Injuries from these scooters are likely to include head injuries from people falling off of them. As well as, scooters hitting pedestrians causing injuries. In many other parts of the country, cars have hit scooter riders. To help reduce some of these potential injuries, Tampa is asking scooter companies to govern their scooters so they max out at 8MPH.
After this year-long pilot program is up, safety experts will review the data from the different participating companies. Tampa will then most likely pick one company to operate throughout the entire city.
INJURED IN A SCOOTER ACCIDENT?
The first thing to do is to attend to your immediate medical needs. But then you may want to consider speaking to an attorney about your circumstances. There are many questions about insurance and compensation that get raised when injuries occur on these scooters.
Whose insurance will pay? What if I’m at fault, can any of my medical bills be paid? Can the scooter company be made to pay?
Present all these questions—and many more—to an attorney familiar with these scooters, insurance, and personal injury. At RHINO Lawyers, our personal injury team offers a free consultation where we can evaluate your case and outline where your compensation might come from.
RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!” We describe our bold modern approach to “Accident & Personal Injury Law” and “Our Personal Mission” to empower Florida’s families to “Take Charge!”
Read More
Port Sutton Motorcycle Crash Ends Tragically
Port Sutton motorcycle crash ends tragically. A pick-up truck pulled out in front of a motorcycle causing a crash that left the rider of the motorcycle dead. The tragedy happened around 8 am, Thursday, January 3, 2019. According to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy at the scene, the driver of the pick-up was waiting at Madison Ave. along Dacca Dr. at a stop sign for a car to pass.
Once the car cleared, she pulled out but didn’t see the motorcycle trailing behind the car, and she drove right into its path. The rider of the motorcycle attempted to swerve, but it wasn’t enough and he died at the scene.
Motorcycle Crashes
Riding a motorcycle is far more dangerous than being in a car. In fact, when looking at miles traveled, a person is 35 times more likely to be killed on a motorcycle than in a car. The number one factor in motorcycle-vehicle crashes where the vehicle driver was at fault is the conspicuousness of the motorcycle.
This means that in most crashes involving a motorcycle and a car, the car driver doesn’t see the motorcycle and then either collides with the bike or pulls into its path.
Motorcycle Injuries
When a motorcycle rider is involved in an accident, there are some common injuries that occur. They are:
- Road rash
- Facial fractures and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Limb amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
These injuries can cause significant other losses to the injured biker. Loss of time from work, medical bills, replacement transportation costs, loss of quality of life, PTSD and pain and suffering are all losses and damages that cyclists face when in an accident.
Do I need an Attorney?
If you or a loved one is involved in a motorcycle accident and are seriously injured, you need to at least talk to an attorney. You don’t have to hire one to make a claim, but before you do anything, talk to someone who can advise you of the law and your rights and knows how to handle the insurance company and their lawyers.
Contact a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Always contact a motorcycle accident attorney after any crash involving a serious injury or loss of a loved one. RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”
Anyone injured due to the negligence of a driver in Florida may contact us for a free consultation. Our personal injury team will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Read More
Tragic Multi-Car Crash Kills Woman in Zephyrhills
Hit twice in a multi-car crash on U.S. 301 around 6:25 a.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2019, a 25-year-old woman died. According to a Florida Highway Trooper at the scene, the deceased was driving a Nissan Altima and slowed to turn into a parking lot when it was hit by an SUV which pushed the Nissan into the path of another car which also struck the Nissan.
Tragically, the impact of the second car flipped the Nissan severely injuring the driver. Paramedic flew the driver to St. Joseph’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Multi-Car Pile-Ups
There are several common factors in multi-car pile-ups. First is the risk of multiple stricks of one or more of the cars. A common scenario is when two cars collide and come to a rest. Then oncoming cars unable to stop slam into the car. This happens often on freeways and highways where cars are going at higher speeds and have little time to avoid the cars in front.
Another scenario is where the cars are on city or urban streets and a car immediately in front slows or slams on the brakes not leaving the car behind enough time to stop, and then this happens again to a car further behind resulting in multiple cars colliding.
What to do to Avoid a Multi-Car Crash
The best thing to do is to always be vigilant and watch the cars in front of you and leave enough time in case you have to stop suddenly. If you get in an accident where the possibility of getting struck by another vehicle exists. Experts say to stay in the vehicle and leave your seatbelt on. It’s natural to want to get out, but there is more protection in a car. Plus, the chance of injury is greater when struck in person outside your car.
However, they also say that if there is an overriding need to get out—such as a fire—then it’s, of course, best to exit the vehicle.
First Responders
Multi-car crashes present unique problems to first responders as well. Their first responsibility is to secure the scene and keep further accidents from occurring. This is often done by putting out flares or reflectors to warn the oncoming motorists. The next order of business is to assess the injuries and determine if anyone needs immediate attention, and then get those who need further treatment to the hospital.
How is Fault Determined?
Determining fault is usually a secondary concern to the victims as their focus on getting better. However, eventually, the financial losses pile up and focus in then turned to the issue of compensation. In most multi-vehicle crashes, investigators have a difficult task determining what happened due to the multiple impacts and the scope of the scene. They issue a report once finished. Insurance companies and the courts use the report to determine who was at fault.
In multi-vehicle crashes, it is often the case that several people are at fault for a portion of the accident. One might not be at fault in one collision but is in another. This clouds the issue of who’s to blame and gives leverage to insurance companies who will all point the finger at the other drivers.
Contact a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer
Always contact an attorney after any crash involving a serious injury or loss of a loved one.
RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”
Anyone injured due to the negligence of another driver in Florida may call us for a free consultation. Our personal injury team will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Read More
Car Crashes Into Tampa Home, Injures One
A car crashed into a house in a residential area of Tampa. As a result, the car crash caused serious damage to one house and sent a passenger to the hospital on November 23, 2018.
According to Spectrum News 9, this car crash happened early on Friday on North Highland Avenue. Allegedly, the SUV involved in this crash veered off the road and crashed into a house close to Violet Street.
Consequently, this car crash caused significant damage to the house’s living room. Thankfully, the residents were not injured during the crash.
Emergency crews transported the passenger in the SUV to a local hospital for treatment. Considering, the severity of the car crash no other injuries occurred.
As of today, local police are still trying to figure out what caused this car to crash into the house. Tampa authorities urge anyone with information on this car crash to call (813) 231-6130.
Passenger Injured In Car Crash
Hopefully, you never suffer injuries as a passenger in a car crash. However, if you are, you should know that passengers in Florida have rights and should be compensated for their injuries in a crash.
Passengers in SUVs, trucks, and cars are usually traveling with their friends or family members. Nobody wants to create tensions with their friends. However, your friends have auto insurance for a reason and they want to see you get better too. Don’t expect their insurer to play fairly. If you have sustained a serious injury, be sure to speak to an attorney about your crash. Tampa area car injury lawyers offer free and confidential consultations.
Contact a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer
Lastly, anyone injured due to the negligence of another driver in Tampa may call RHINO Lawyers for a free consultation. Our personal injury team will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.
No matter the nature of your case, our experienced lawyers can help you better understand your legal rights given your circumstances. In short, don’t settle for what the insurers want to give you until you’ve spoken with one of our compassionate attorneys.
For your free consultation call, please dial (844) RHINO-077.
Read More
Will Connected Vehicles Reduce Auto Accidents?
Tampa has been chosen along with New York City and a part of Interstate 80 in Wyoming for purposes of a new connected vehicle pilot program. That will allow certain motor vehicles, traffic control devices, signs, crosswalks, and pedestrians to talk with each other. The program has three objectives. First, its developers want to improve traffic safety by improving the flow of traffic and reducing accidents. After those, they want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the official website, www.tampacvpilot.com, 10 Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) buses and 10 streetcars are participating in this pilot program.
Additionally, the NHTSA predicts that not only will connected vehicles prevent accidents, but that there will be a reduction in the severity of some accidents.
Talking Connected Vehicles
When vehicles communicate with themselves and stationary objects like traffic lights, they use V2V (vehicle to vehicle) technology that is coupled with other new technology. Thus, the talking vehicle transmits information. It tells other talking vehicles and objects where it is, what direction it’s going in and how fast it’s traveling within a range of about 300 yards. The information system even notifies drivers of pedestrians in crosswalks.
In fact, the system updates the information as often as 10 times per second. Then it’s sent to all other talking cars within range for purposes of identifying potential immediate hazards. Combining this technology with automatic braking would drastically reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
V2V Might Become Mandatory
There is no question that the concept of talking cars or talking traffic is rapidly increasing. Assuming that it is reliable in the pilot program. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a rule that would establish an industry standard. This would require all new cars to include the talking vehicle technology. Whether or not a driver wants to use it would be optional. However, it will be illegal for the system to be turned off. On the low end, the NHTSA estimates that the technology will prevent at least 200,000 accidents per year.
Privacy Concerns
Many legislators are of the opinion that sacrificing privacy for preventative technology would be wrong. Proposed security measures to protect drivers and their vehicles have been submitted. Legislators have assured the public they will implement appropriate security measures. More importantly, the security measures will be ready before rolling out this new technology. Drivers won’t be able to obtain any personal information about other drivers. It’s presently unknown whether police will track drivers with the technology.
Reduction of Impact Severity
The NHTSA believes that V2V might reduce the severity of impacts by up to 80 percent of all crashes, especially in those involving intersections and lane changes. About 1,600 private volunteers, 10 buses and 10 streetcars will be equipped with the V2V technology. The vehicles participating in the pilot program are only a tiny segment of the total number of vehicles that are registered in the Tampa area.
Tampa Auto Accident Lawyers
We still intend on being your go-to Tampa Auto Accident Lawyers. Lastly, whether an accident involves V2V technology or the carelessness and negligence of another driver, don’t hesitate to contact the personal injury team at RHINO Lawyers for a free case consultation and review.
Read More
Passenger Injury in a Auto Accident?
When you’re a passenger in a motor vehicle, it’s difficult to take evasive action to avoid injury in an accident. As a result, injuries more serious than those suffered by your driver can result. The only good news is that you’re highly unlikely to be at fault for the accident. Although, questions about your accident and injuries are going to arise. Especially, if the crash involved one or more vehicles in the Tampa area.
Passenger Injury Call 911
First, even if your driver didn’t suffer any injuries, you will need the accident and your injuries documented. Call 911, request paramedics and report the accident. Don’t get talked out of reporting the accident to the police under any circumstances. Without a police report, you stand little chance of receiving compensation for your damages.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment for Injuries
The paramedics at the scene of your crash can treat you and transport you to the nearest emergency room. They will make a record of that. Their record will be the first in a long line of medical records regarding the treatment that you as a passenger underwent for your injuries. Those records are critical in any personal injury claim or lawsuit.
PIP Benefits
Florida is a no-fault insurance state. So, this requires you to use personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. But, this is for the first $10,000 of medical bills and lost earnings. Assuming that you own a car, you’ll make that claim under your own PIP coverage. If you don’t own a car and don’t have PIP coverage, Florida law provides for what driver’s PIP coverage applies. If you fail to treat for your injuries within 14 days of the date of your accident, it’s likely that PIP coverage will be denied. It’s also likely that the value of any personal injury claim or lawsuit that you file could be reduced. Seek immediate medical treatment for any car accident injuries.
Am I Limited to $10,000?
If you meet one or more of four thresholds you can pursue additional compensation for your injuries and damages. Here are the thresholds:
- You suffered a significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function.
- That within a reasonable degree of certainty, you suffered a permanent injury.
- You suffered permanent scarring, disfigurement or disability.
- You died in the accident. Your estate can seek damages.
Beyond the Threshold
You can proceed with a lawsuit seeking compensation for your damages once your claim meets one or more of the thresholds. Those damages might consist of the following:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Past and future lost earnings.
- Any permanent disfigurement.
- Any permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of a normal life.
- In the event of a wrongful death, other significant and valuable damages.
Who to Claim Passenger Injury Against
However, involvement in a single-car accident like hitting a stationary object or rolling over, as a passenger your injury claim is against the insurer of your driver. If the accident involved multiple vehicles, the recommendation to make claims against the insurers of all drivers involved in the accident.
Statements
Shortly after your accident, an adjuster from an opposing insurance company might contact you “just to see how you’re feeling now.” That’s a pretext. That adjuster wants a recorded statement from you. Politely refuse to give such a statement. Then, call us. You’re not required to give any type of a statement in Florida without an attorney being present on your behalf. You don’t want to have your own words used against you in the future.
Contact a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer
RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”
Whether you were injured as a passenger, the driver of another motor vehicle, a bicyclist or a pedestrian, contact our personal injury team right away after being injured as a result of the carelessness and negligence of another driver. Each accident and injury case is different. Seek the advice and counsel of an experienced Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer from our office by contacting us and arranging for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Read More
Uber Passenger Struck on Tampa Freeway
Uber passenger struck on Tampa freeway. A 28-year-old man was killed after getting out of an Uber car. The accident around 1:45 AM on Monday, November 19, 2018, near Tampa. According to the Uber driver, the man became agitated on his trip from Brooksville to Brandon and wanted out of the car on southbound I-75 at the I-4 exit. Once out, the Uber passenger stepped into the traffic lane. Where two cars, a Nissan Versa, and an SUV struck the man.
Drop-Off Safety for Uber Passengers
Though we don’t know the circumstances of the above-mentioned story, Uber does have rules regarding dropping off passengers. Uber posted this for their drivers: “Keep your dropoffs legal: Drop off passengers in safe and permissible locations, like passenger loading zones or where there is enough space to pull over without blocking bike lanes. It’s important to know your local laws so that you can abide by them. Check your state’s traffic laws.”
Lyft and other ride-share companies have similar rules that are put in place for passenger safety.
Who’s to Blame?
Uber drivers and the Uber company have a somewhat complicated liability. Generally speaking, an Uber driver is an independent contractor, and as such, carries his or her own insurance. However, if a driver’s app is on and they’re at fault, then yes you may be able to sue them. If you can sue Uber directly, then they have 1 million in coverage. Sounds straightforward, right? This is actually where it gets complicated. According to a Florida rideshare accident attorney if the driver is at fault, then there are three sources of insurance that apply during different circumstances.
- If the driver is not on duty, meaning not available for a pick-up. Then Uber has zero liability and the insurance of the driver is in play.
- If the driver is available for pick-up but does not have a passenger. Then the Uber driver’s own insurance pays for any damage, however, Uber’s $1 million policy turns into an underinsured policy. This means that if the court awards damages over the driver’s policy limits, then Uber will pay the difference.
- If the driver is on a run with a passenger then Uber’s $1 million policy will cover all damages.
Do I need an Accident Attorney if I’m in an Uber Crash?
If you sustain serious injury in any car wreck you should definitely schedule a free consultation with an auto accident attorney.
As far as Uber goes, consult with an attorney for any injuries. Whether you’re the driver, passenger, or pedestrian hit by an Uber car.
You don’t need an attorney for every injury so long as the insurance company does the right thing. However, when it comes to complicated insurance liability issues, you will very likely need an attorney. More importantly, the attorney should know the law and have experience handling ride-sharing claims.
In the event a loved one was killed, be sure to speak with an attorney about wrongful death claims.
If you were involved in an Uber crash in the Tampa area call the personal injury team at RHINO Lawyers today.
Read More
Will Police Respond to My Car Accident in Tampa, FL?
Unlike some police departments in some cities, Tampa Police respond to all car accidents. Call 911 and have an officer dispatched when involved in any type of car crash. Depending on your location, a Tampa Police Department (TPD) officer or a Hillsborough County Sheriff will respond.
Once the police have been notified, seek medical attention, then call us to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.
Will Tampa PD respond to fender benders?
Yes, police will respond to fender benders as well. If it is truly a non-emergency you may call the non-emergency line at 813-231-6130. If for some reason you did not notify the police. Be sure to get a report on file within 10 days of the crash occurring.
It is good that we have police in the area who will respond to accidents. A surprising number of serious injuries can arise after low-speed impacts. As a result, having police document the crash at least establishes the fact that the accident occurred.
After the crash, you can go here to get a copy of your Tampa Car Accident Report.
Police in other cities may not respond.
Believe it or not, police in many cities, even cities smaller than Tampa, may not respond to some types of collisions. For example, as of 2019, Springfield Missouri has a population of around 170,000 people and they no longer respond to non-injury collisions. Other cities that have adopted this policy include the Las Vegas Metro area and Philadelphia.
Do I need an attorney after a Tampa car accident?
Always speak to an attorney after any crash which involves a serious injury. Though, you do not need an attorney in each and every case. However, just like it is not a great idea to have people assess their own injuries, it is usually not a good idea to assess your own insurance claim. A good attorney will provide you with a free consultation and advise you on the best steps to take after any crash whether it involves retaining an attorney or not.
Be sure to contact our personal injury team for a free consultation after an accident involving a serious injury or a loved one passed away during the collision. The RHINO Lawyers are dedicated to tackling the insurance companies head-on.
Read More
Injured By Someone With No Auto Insurance?
26.7% of all drivers in Florida have no auto insurance, but that doesn’t always mean you can’t be compensated for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation when seriously injured in any type of auto accident in the Tampa area.
No auto insurance crash scenario:
You certainly don’t expect it, especially when you’re so close to home. You’re on your way to the supermarket to pick up a few items, and your traffic signal is green at a major intersection. Then, you don’t know what hit you, but after that white light flash from your brain hitting the sides of your skull, you know that you’ve been in a crash.
A Chevy Silverado pickup truck who ran the red light on your left broadsided you on the driver’s side. You can’t open your driver’s side door to get out of the car, so you crawl through the window that was previously occupied by glass. When you try to take your first step, there’s incredible pain in your left leg and ankle, and you fall to the ground. You’re a bloody mess, and you are sure you suffered a broken leg. Now, the guy that hit you is trying to start his truck. He’s trying to leave the scene, but his truck won’t start.
The other guy doesn’t even look like he suffered any injuries. There must have been a squad car nearby, and a passing motorist must have called 911. That guy was still trying to start his truck when police arrived. Soon after that, the paramedics arrived. Now, police have the other guy in handcuffs. You’re wheeled off on a gurney, and now he’s in the back of a squad car. It looks like he’s going to jail, and you’re going to a hospital. A police officer tells you that he’ll pay you a visit in a while to tell you what’s going on.
Your x-rays show a fractured tibia and ankle. As a result, they admit you to the hospital. It looks like they will schedule your surgery for tomorrow or the next day. Indeed, the investigating police officer finds you and pays you a visit. You learn they believe that the driver who hit you was on a massive dose of opioids. After that, you find out the court permanently revoked his driver’s license a few years ago for four or more DUIs. Then, you learn that he had no auto insurance. Sounds crazy, but this hypothetical crash scenario is very similar to what happened in Clearwater in December 2018. Now what?
Make a PIP Claim First
Florida is a no-fault insurance state. Therefore, the state requires everybody who drives an automobile to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. Notwithstanding the fact that the other driver didn’t have any insurance, you can still make a claim and get at least some medical bills and lost earnings paid with your PIP through your own insurance company. What comes to issue is that surgery and rehab are going to cost tens of thousands of dollars, but your PIP coverage is only $10,000. That’s why you want to be sure that you carry uninsured motorist insurance.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
As per the Insurance Research Council, about 26.7 percent of all drivers in Florida have no auto insurance. That’s about twice the national average, so next time you’re on the highway, take a look around you. More than one out of every four drivers that you can see are without any car insurance at all.
Who does it Cover?
You can purchase uninsured motorist insurance (UM) through your own insurance company. That’s who you will make any uninsured motorist claim with too. Take note that your UM probably covers the residents of your household who are blood relatives. Even if the accident involves a hit-and-run driver. The coverage usually applies to everyone even as bicyclists or pedestrians too. Most UM policies will pay damages like medical costs, lost earnings, permanent disfigurement, permanent disability and pain and suffering up to the limits of your coverage. They will pay damages from an accident caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.
The Other Alternative
You can make a claim for the rest of your medical bills under your health insurance too while your UM (uninsured motorist) claim is pending. That’s what you pay premiums for, but your health insurance doesn’t cover any of your other damages.
Always Contact RHINO Lawyers
If you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by an uninsured motorist, contact our Tampa Auto Accident Lawyers right away. Our personal injury team can arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation. We’re available to answer your questions and advise you of your legal options. Compensation might be available for you. You’re in a highly complicated insurance situation. We can talk about how we might be able to help you get things straightened out.
Read More