Being injured in a Florida auto accident is stressful enough. It is even worse when the person who caused the crash does not have enough liability coverage to pay for your injuries. If you were injured in a car accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may be forced to rely on your own policy for compensation.
At Spinner Law Firm, we represent car accident victims in Wesley Chapel, Tampa Bay, and throughout the State of Florida in bringing UM claims against their auto insurance company. When your insurance company fails to treat you fairly and pay benefits owed for your injuries, you can count on our firm to hold them accountable.
How does Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Work in Florida?
Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist coverage, available through your own policy of insurance, applies when the at fault driver’s insurance does not have adequate coverage. Uninsured Motorist (“UM”) coverage applies when the adverse party has no bodily injury liability coverage. Underinsured Motorist Coverage (“UIM”) applies when the other driver has insurance coverage, but the coverage limits are insufficient to fully cover your injury related damages.
UM/UIM coverage is designed to protect you, the policy holder, not the insurance company, when the at fault party is not adequately insured.
Common Obstacles
Although UM coverage may be available through your policy, insurance companies often deny benefits to their own insured’s with obstructive tactics, such as:
- Claiming value of your damages are within the limits of the at fault party’s liability coverage
- Claiming your injuries are pre-existing or caused by something other than the crash
- Claiming that they are only responsible for a portion of your medical expenses
- Denying liability even if the accident was the other driver’s fault
How we help
At Spinner Law Firm, we fight hard to assure that your insurance company pays the UM benefits owed under your policy. We do not hesitate to file suit when an insurance company breaches its contract or refuses to pay UM benefits that you are owed. We provide comprehensive and highly customized representation so that you are informed every step of the way. Contact us today by calling (813) 991-5099, or please fill out our online form for immediate assistance. We are standing by to help you.
Why choose us?
Understanding your legal rights and knowing where to turn for answers to these questions is crucial. From the very first meeting, we will sit down with you to explain the entire process and answer your questions. At Spinner Law Firm we offer resources, support, and uncompromising legal representation to victims of auto collisions. If you have suffered an injury because of a negligent driver and are seeking aggressive legal representation, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our talented legal team is committed to answering your questions, walking with you through the entire process and recovering maximum compensation for your auto accident case. We are right here, available 24/7 to help you and your family.
9 things to do after a motor vehicle accident:
There are many critical steps to take after being in an accident. Here are our suggestions on what to do following a crash:
- 1. Exchange insurance
- 2. Call law enforcement
- 3. Never admit fault
- 4. Do not move your vehicle
- 5. Accept transportation
- 6. Report the accident
- 7. Do not provide a recorded statement
- 8. Do not post on social media
- 9. Contact Us
Exchange insuranceExchange insurance information with all of the other vehicles involved in the crash including their name, address, phone number and insurance policy information.
Call law enforcementCall law enforcement immediately. Even if you think you may not be badly injured, the police report will help identify the parties and who is at fault for causing the crash.
Never admit faultNever admit fault. Your lawyer will investigate the details of your crash and help figure that out with you.
Do not move your vehicleDo not move your vehicle until you have taken photos of the location of impact, the accident scene, and the damage to your vehicle and all others involved in the crash.
Accept transportationAccept transportation to the hospital ER or be seen at a local Hospital or Urgent Care.
Report the accidentReport the accident to your insurance company right away and take note of the claim number assigned to your claim.
Do not provide a recorded statementDo not provide a recorded statement to any insurance company without first speaking with a lawyer.
Do not post on social mediaDo not post about the accident or your injuries on social media.
Contact UsContact an experienced personal injury attorney.
Auto Accident information Center:
Helpie FAQ
- When to call a lawyer a motor vehicle accident?
Right after an accident, the insurance company is investigating the claim and taking steps to assure that you recover as little compensation as possible for your injuries. It is critically important to contact a qualified auto accident attorney as soon as possible to protect yourself from the insurance company and make sure the proper steps are taken to investigate the accident and secure the evidence necessary to prove responsibility for the crash.
- How do I pay for a personal injury attorney?
Auto Accident cases are accepted on a contingency fee basis. This means that you are not charged any out of pocket expenses in connection with hiring a lawyer. After the lawyer resolves your case either by settlement or jury verdict, then the applicable attorney fee is paid from the proceeds of the settlement.
- Should I provide a recorded statement to the insurance company?
You are not required to provide a statement to the at fault driver’s insurance company. If one is requested, you should decline and defer to your attorney. You may be required to provide a statement to your own insurance company as most policies of auto insurance obligate you to provide “reasonable cooperation” which can include a statement. Do not provide a statement to any insurance company without first speaking to your attorney.
- How do I get my property damage repaired after a motor vehicle accident?
The at fault driver’s at fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for the repairs to your vehicle. If there is a dispute regarding who is responsible for causing the crash, you can arrange to have the repairs handled through your own insurance company, provided you have collision coverage on your policy.
- How do I get a rental vehicle after a motor vehicle accident?
The at fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for getting you into a rental vehicle. If there is a dispute regarding who is responsible for causing the crash, you can arrange for a rental through your own insurance company, provided you have rental coverage on your policy.
- What is Florida PIP?
Florida law requires auto insurance policies to include Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Following a motor vehicle crash, your own insurance would cover 80% of your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages up to $10,000.00. This is the case regardless of who was at fault for the accident. You only have fourteen days to receive medical treatment following a crash in order to qualify for PIP. This means that even if your symptoms are mild, but you suspect you may be injured as a result of a crash, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Who pays for my medical expenses after a motor vehicle accident?
Initially, your medical expenses are covered in part by your own insurance policy under the PIP (“Personal Injury Protection”) coverage. Uncovered medical expenses are recovered by your attorney from the responsible party’s insurance company as part of your personal injury case. Typically, you should not incur any out of pocket medical expenses in connection with accident related treatment.
- What kind of compensation can I recover from a motor vehicle accident?
There is a wide variety of damages that can be recovered from a motor vehicle accident. The at fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for your past a future medical expenses. If you were unable to work due to your injuries, you can recover your lost wages. If your capacity to work in the future is diminished, you can recover compensation. Subject to proof that your injuries caused from a motor vehicle crash are permanent, you can recover compensation for pain and suffering both in the past and in the future. This is a very generalized overview of the types of compensation you can recover. Your attorney will counsel you in greater detail.
Types of Auto Accidents:
Our team handles all types of auto accidents causing serious injuries and death. The most common include:
The Most Common Includes:
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in an automobile collision and are seeking an exceptional team of auto accident attorneys in the Tampa Bay area, please contact Spinner Law Firm, P.A. for a free and immediate consultation. Take your first step toward protecting your legal rights and pursuing a successful verdict or settlement with the help of our dedicated attorneys. Call now: 813-991-5099. We are standing by 24/7 to help.
