What do I do if the other driver leaves the scene or is uninsured?

The other driver leaving the scene of the accident is a so-called hit-and-run case. The best thing you can do in this case is to record all the visible details that could lead to identifying the other driver such as:

• license plate, a description of the driver
• a description of the vehicle like color, model, and make
• talk to any witnesses and obtain their contact information.

If any of this is possible, the authorities might be able to identify the person at fault.

If, however, the hit driver cannot provide such information, identifying the responsible party might not be possible. Usually, when you have been involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver you can:

• report the accident to your car insurance company and find out what coverage is applicable in your situation
• talk to an experienced car accident attorney about what your options are in case your injuries cannot be covered by adequate insurance.

How uninsured motorist’s insurance comes into play

The good thing is that injured individuals might still be able to recover damages in case they carry Uninsured Motorists' insurance. This type of insurance is regularly cheap and can cover medical expenses and property damage in the event of a hit-and-run accident.

The same kind of insurance can be very useful even if the other driver does not leave the scene of the crash, but they are uninsured or underinsured. Your insurance company can then pay the difference in your expenses or the entire cost of your accident. Unfortunately, injured individuals who do not carry Uninsured Motorists' insurance have as only option to sue the uninsured driver to recover their damages. Considering that most of the uninsured drivers do not own too many assets, a lawsuit might not generate the desired outcome.

When is a driver underinsured?

Florida is a no-fault state, and every vehicle owner is required to carry their own auto insurance. An underinsured driver has minimum insurance that does not cover all the expenses of a possible accident. What this usually means is that an underinsured driver will not be able to pay the full amount of damages.

An underinsured driver is a person who buys insurance that does not cover all the expenses of a possible accident. If an underinsured driver hits you and damages your car or your physical integrity, his or her insurance policy will not cover all the damages. There are a lot of underinsured drivers out there. If you want to be covered in case of an accident, you can add underinsured motorist coverage to your own policy. This clause will protect you from drivers whose liability limits are too low and cover your potential damages extensively.

When you purchase a car, proof of insurance is required to obtain the appropriate vehicle registration. The minimum limits for Florida vehicle insurance coverage are:

• $10,000 no-fault or PIP, personal injury protection insurance
• $10,000 PDL, property damage liability insurance

Personal Injury Protection covers 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages after an accident, regardless of fault, up to $10.000 in general, and property damage coverage. The kicker is that Bodily Injury Coverage is not mandatory in Florida.