A car accident can completely disrupt your life. Any injuries you suffered and the damage to your vehicle will all contribute to the serious financial strain that an accident can put on your life. Recovering compensation from the liable party can be critical. However, getting the money you need is often challenging, especially when the at-fault party is uninsured.
At Winston Law, our team of Sunrise uninsured motorist accident attorneys knows the difficulties that come with pursuing compensation from an uninsured motorist. We have helped countless accident victims recover the money they need after a crash. Reach out to us today by phone or through our website to get started with a free case review.
Do You Need to Hire an Attorney After an Uninsured Motorist Accident?
Hiring an attorney will almost always be in your best interest if you have been injured in a car accident. However, having a legal professional by your side when pursuing compensation from an uninsured driver is even more necessary. If the driver doesn’t have insurance, you won’t be able to recover compensation by filing an insurance claim.
Instead, a personal injury lawsuit is going to be your path forward. Representing yourself in a lawsuit is unlikely to yield favorable results. However, with an experienced attorney by your side, you will likely be able to recover the compensation you deserve. A lawyer will handle every aspect of your legal case from start to finish.
When you have a Sunrise uninsured motorist accident attorney working for you, you can rest easy knowing that your financial future is in good hands. With a lawyer handling your case, you can focus your attention on healing from your injuries and moving on after a crash.
Damages Available in an Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawsuit
After suffering an injury in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, you will likely be eligible to pursue several types of damages. The specific damages you can claim will depend on the details of your accident and injuries. Identifying all the damages that apply is critical to recovering the full value of your claim.
Economic Damages
Any financial losses resulting from your accident are categorized as economic damages. Some of the most frequently claimed economic damages in an uninsured motorist accident lawsuit are:
- Lost income
- Lowered earning ability
- Property damage
- Medical costs
- Future medical bills
Non-Economic Damages
All other losses caused by your accident are grouped together as non-economic damages. These losses can be quite diverse and often significantly impact the lives of accident victims. Some of the most frequently claimed non-economic damages in an uninsured motorist accident lawsuit are:
- Pain and suffering
- Decreased enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages don’t cover losses suffered by the accident victim. Instead, the court will award these damages as a punishment for the at-fault party. Punitive damages are reserved for extreme cases and are only available in a small percentage of accidents. For your case to qualify, the at-fault party must have intentionally caused the accident or been grossly negligent.
Be Sure to File Your Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawsuit on Time
It is essential to pay attention to how long you have to file when pursuing compensation through a lawsuit. Under the Florida personal injury statute of limitations, accident victims can submit the paperwork for a lawsuit up to two years after the date of the accident. Missing this deadline could result in the loss of your right to claim damages.
Of course, exceptions to the usual deadline apply in some cases. The details of your situation will determine whether you are eligible to file after two years have passed. Even if you don’t believe you are eligible to file a lawsuit anymore, speaking to a lawyer is critical. An experienced attorney can help you determine if you can file beyond the normal window.
While the details of your case can potentially lengthen the amount of time you have to file, they can also shorten it. In some situations, you will have less than two years to act. Speaking with an experienced attorney early is the best way to avoid missing out on compensation because of an unexpected deadline.
Should You Take a Settlement Deal or Go to Court?
In most cases, it is going to be in your best interest to take a settlement deal after an uninsured motorist accident rather than take your case to court. Most of these cases never go to trial because both parties benefit from agreeing on a settlement agreement.
For the accident victim, a settlement will mean that you will be able to recover compensation far quicker than if you had taken your case to trial. Additionally, a settlement provides guaranteed money for your damages rather than risk ending up with nothing in an unpredictable trial.
For the liable party, settling means they will save money on legal fees and not have to worry about paying the full amount they would pay if they lost in court. Furthermore, the plaintiff can avoid the unwanted press coverage that comes with a public trial.
Get Help From a Sunrise Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Today
When attempting to recover damages after an uninsured motorist accident, the best thing you can do to help your case is to hire an experienced lawyer. At Winston Law, we have been helping accident victims recover the compensation they need for decades. We have achieved significant compensation for our clients both through settlements and court-ordered payouts.
We are a small firm, which means you will get the personal touch when working with us. Reach out to us today by phone or through our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
