Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer in Miami
In almost every state, the law dictates that motor vehicle operators must have a minimum dollar amount of liability insurance to cover medical expenses and property damages. That being said, recent studies suggest that roughly 13% of all drivers in America lack this basic liability coverage. Unfortunately, this complicates things rather quickly when these uninsured motorists are involved in an accident. In many cases, an uninsured motorist leaves victims to fend for themselves when it comes to paying for expenses.
More specifically, an uninsured motorist is defined as any driver who does not have the minimum liability insurance that their state mandates. If you get into a car accident with an uninsured motorist, then it is much less likely that you will receive the compensation that you deserve-without seeking legal help. These minimum liability restrictions will always vary from state to state, so make sure to check with your local laws to see where you stand. For example, California's minimum liability limits include $15,000 for a single person, $30,0000 for all individuals involved in the accident, and $5,000 for property damage.
Uninsured Motorist Truck Accident Attorneys
But of course, unlikely is far from impossible. With the right legal team to support you, it is possible to squeeze your way out of this uncomfortable situation. This makes The Ward Law Group an excellent choice, as our legal team has earned not only decades of experience but also a track record of success with high-profile cases. Moreover, our team doesn't only serve the English-speaking community. We also cater our legal services to those who speak Spanish as their primary language. Don't let your native tongue keep you from receiving the settlement you deserve. Contact The Ward Law Group today!
Common Types of Uninsured Motorist Claims that We Settle
Recent studies show that 82% of uninsured motorists do not have insurance because they do not have the funds to do so. This is not the only reason, however. Some drivers are not able to buy liability insurance because their vehicles are in terrible condition (or uninsurable). This hangs victims of uninsured motorist accidents out to dry. This means that the victim of the accident may have to cover all of their own expenses, even if the accident itself was not their fault. In 2012 alone, the cost of damages from accidents involving uninsured vehicle operators was roughly $2.6 billion.
Of course, by nature, there is not much of a difference from this accident subtype and "normal" car collisions. In fact, like other accident types, the most common causes of uninsured motorist accidents include:
Drunk Driving: One in every four car accidents that result in death occurs because of drunk driving. If you have lost a loved one to a DUI, your claim may fall under the wrongful death subtype.
Distracted Driving: Many states have passed new laws that ban portable electronic devices such as smartphones while driving. This will only become more prevalent as time goes by. And, with good reason:Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents in America. Of course, many things can lead to distracted driving (and not just your smartphone). Fiddling with your radio, talking to passengers, eating, and applying makeup while driving are all forms of distracted driving.
Reckless Driving: This refers to any car accident that results from speeding, sudden lane shifting, tailgating, or any other irresponsible behavior. Basically, reckless driving involves some level of rational negligence on the part of the offending party.
Naturally, these are only the top 3 examples. Of course, there are plenty of other causes of car accidents. However, the resultant claims always become more complicated when uninsured motorists enter the mix.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries & Compensation
Uninsured motorist accidents are a very broad category because they are more of an accident addendum than a subtype of their own. In other words, an uninsured motorist accident could mean almost anything. It could mean a bus accident, truck accident, hit-and-run, head-on collision, rollover, or more. In a sense, the uninsured motorist is just a nasty cherry on the top of an already bad situation. Some common examples of personal injuries from these accidents include:
- Mild to Severe Brain Damage
- Dismemberment
- Lacerations and Bruises
- Broken Bones
- Whiplash
- Spinal Cord Injuries (Myelopathy, Spinal Stenosis, Paralysis, etc.)
- Internal Organ Injuries
...and more.
The best way to beat an uninsured motorist is to already have them defeated before the accident even happens. You can do this by having uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy. Uninsured motorist coverage will ensure that you will receive compensation from the accident that you would otherwise have to pay for out-of-pocket. Here are a few forms of compensation that you may receive if you have uninsured motorist coverage:
Medical Expenditures: This covers almost anything having to do with hospital stays, medication, treatment plans, therapy, and more. Usually, this is only relevant if you have been injured from an accident involving an uninsured motorist.
Property Damage: Aside from vehicle damage, this claim also covers damage to personal belongings in the car, such as your smartphone, laptop, and even clothing. Additionally, it may cover other fees, such as towing costs for your vehicle.
Lost Wages & Earning Potential: Lost wages cover the period of time where you are out of work as you recover from your injuries. Loss of earning potential applies if your injury becomes permanent or affects your ability to work for a long time.
Emotional Trauma: Covers things such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more.
Contact The Ward Law Group Today
In addition to serving English-speaking personal injury victims, The Ward Law Group is passionate about providing bilingual legal services to the Spanish-speaking community. Don't let language become an additional barrier to getting the compensation you deserve for your claim. Contact our team of legal advisors at the Ward Law Group today!
Gregory Ward and Jany Martínez-Ward have recovered millions of dollars in personal injury compensation for car accident victims. They were recognized for a top 5 verdict in Florida in 2021. They obtained more than $2,000,000 in compensation for the victim of a truck accident. Don't leave the fate of your settlement to chance. Contact The Ward Law Group today to secure your legal rights and hire reputable insurance companies.
Maximizing Your Claim: Immediate Steps to Take After an Uninsured Motorist Accident
Naturally, you should have emergency responders dispatched immediately after an accident-especially when one or both parties sustain an injury. Once this step is complete, you should start by documenting every single detail of the accident as soon as possible. If you are not able, then you should ask a friend or eyewitness to do this for you. Uninsured motorist claims are much harder to win, so the more evidence that you collect, the better. Thankfully, almost everyone in this day and age has a smartphone with a high-quality camera. Therefore, it should not be too hard to find someone who will do this for you in the event that your phone no longer works because of damage from the accident.
Make sure to exchange information with the uninsured motorist as well as with the police. With the latter, you should aim to get a copy of the police report for the accident as soon as possible. Sharing this information with your legal team will be of great help while attempting to maximize your claim. You should also hold on to any receipts that detail expenses from the accident, as you may able to file claims for these later.
Once you get in touch with a legal team, be sure to share and communicate all of your documentation with them. Again, this is one of the best ways to keep your legal team informed, which will enable them to build a rock-solid case.
Contact a Miami Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney For Help!
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident-especially with an uninsured motorist-be sure to contact The Ward Law Group as soon as possible. Our team will ensure that you will receive the compensation you deserve, no matter the challenge. And remember, our team serves both the English and Spanish-speaking communities. Don't let your native tongue become a barrier to receiving the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!