If you’ve been injured in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, you might be wondering how you’ll get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and other accident-related challenges. Fortunately, there are several actions you can take to get the damages you’re owed.
A Plantation uninsured motorist accident lawyer from Winston Law Firm can explain your legal options and help you pick the best course of action for your unique situation. Contact our insurance claims team today to schedule a free consultation and get the counsel you need to obtain a high-value settlement.
File a Claim With Your Own Personal Injury Protection Policy
Pursuing compensation from a personal injury protection (PIP) plan is usually the first choice for those involved in uninsured motorist accidents. A successful PIP claim can cover as much as 80% of your medical expenses. If your injuries have caused you to miss work, money from a PIP claim can also replace 60% of your income losses.
Time Constraint for PIP Claims
According to Fla. Stat. § 627.736, PIP claimants must receive medical treatment no later than 14 days after their collision. If you seek medical attention as much as a day later than Florida’s 14-day deadline, you’ll likely be barred from receiving compensation from a PIP claim.
You Must See a Qualified Provider to File a PIP Claim
It’s important to make sure that the healthcare provider you see is a qualified provider. Seeing a provider who isn’t “qualified” could result in the insurer denying your claim for medical expenses. An experienced uninsured motorist accident attorney from Plantation can further explain which providers you can see. Some qualified providers may include:
- A physician
- An emergency room doctor
- A chiropractor
- A dentist
Once you’ve received medical treatment, contact an uninsured motorist accident lawyer in Plantation ASAP. They can help you prepare a claim, file it correctly, and negotiate a fair payment with your insurer. Getting started on your claim soon will show your insurance provider that your injuries are legitimate and your request for compensation is urgent.
Our team can also help arrange treatment appointments and ask providers to hold collections until you receive compensation. At Winston Law Firm, we have connections with several providers in the area. We’d be more than happy to use our professional relationships to help you.
Seek Damages From an Uninsured Motorist Protection Plan
Since Florida doesn’t legally require drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance, it’s smart to sign up for an uninsured motorist (UM) protection plan. Doing so can help you get compensation if you’re injured in a crash caused by a driver who opted not to carry a bodily injury plan.
A Plantation uninsured motorist accident attorney can help you file a claim with your UM protection plan. If your claim is successful, you could receive as much compensation as you would from a bodily injury policy.
Take the Uninsured Motorist to Court
Unfortunately, some collisions result in losses that exceed the victim’s PIP and UM policy limits. If your insurance plans won’t cover all of your medical expenses, missed income, and other accident-related losses, you still have the option to take the offending driver to court.
If your only option is to file a lawsuit, a car accident attorney from our firm can handle every step of the legal process. They’ll perform the following services to ensure you have the best chance possible of receiving a fair jury verdict:
- Collect evidence related to your accident
- Interview eyewitnesses
- Work with accident reconstruction experts
- Calculate how much you’re owed
- Ensure your lawsuit is filed on time
- Represent you in court
- Present a compelling, facts-based argument to the court
- Demand that you’re awarded a fair court payment
Damages You Might Receive From a Lawsuit
An uninsured motorist accident attorney from our team in Plantation can meet with you to discuss the damages you should receive from a lawsuit. They’ll ask about how the accident has affected your finances and if you’ve experienced significant pain due to your injuries.
Once they’ve learned more about the challenges and financial setbacks you’re experiencing, they’ll be able to calculate the value of your case. If your lawsuit yields compensation, you could receive any of the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket medical costs
- Ambulance transportation and hospital expenses
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Vehicle repair costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Reduced quality of life
If you were injured in a collision caused by an intoxicated, aggressive, or extremely careless driver, the court might consider awarding punitive damages. Punitive damages punish the at-fault driver for reckless behavior and can also provide extra compensation for you to put toward your losses.
Filing Deadline for Car Accident Lawsuits in Plantation, FL
When filing a personal injury lawsuit, you should be aware of the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a deadline that you must file your suit before if you want to receive compensation. Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.11(3)(a) requires car accident victims in Florida to follow a four-year filing deadline.
That means you have four years from the date of your collision to submit a civil suit against the driver who caused it. Failure to do so could result in your case getting thrown out of court. If you contact a lawyer ASAP, they’ll most likely have enough time to submit your suit on time.
If you wait too long and your deadline passes, you should still reach out to an attorney. They can determine whether or not you still have a chance to collect compensation for your accident-related expenses.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Attorney
The team at Winston Law Firm knows how to get the results you need to pay your bills and recover from your injuries. We’re able to deliver the case results that our clients need because we give special attention to each case we take on. We also credit our impressive track record to our founding partner, Bradley Winston.
Mr. Winston is certified as a specialist in civil trials by the Florida Bar. He has the expertise you need to get the most out of your car accident case. Mr. Winston and our other attorneys have also received numerous recognitions from renowned organizations.
Contact a Plantation uninsured motorist accident lawyer from our firm today to get the expert counsel you need to get compensated.
