Were you injured in a car accident with an uninsured motorist in Tampa, Florida? Dealing with insurance claims after a car accident can be stressful. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always have your best interest in mind when settling claims, including your own insurance provider.
If an uninsured driver hits your vehicle, you may recover compensation from your uninsured motorist insurance coverage. However, working with your insurance company does not guarantee you will receive a fair settlement.
The Tampa car accident lawyers at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers have fought to protect the rights of accident victims and their families for over 30 years. With over 120 years of combined experience, our personal injury attorneys understand the challenges of handling uninsured motorist claims.
Contact our law firm or call us today at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys in Tampa, FL. Our lawyers have recovered over $500 million in damages for our clients. We want to help you get the money you deserve.
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How Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You With an Uninsured Motorist Claim
Even though you are filing a claim with your insurance company, you must prove that the other driver caused the crash to receive compensation for your damages. Your insurance company may fight the claim to avoid paying the amount you deserve. You need an experienced legal team on your side to protect your best interests.
When you hire Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the cause of your car accident and gather evidence proving that the other driver caused the crash
- Handle all claims regarding the accident
- Review and confirm insurance coverage from all available sources
- Document your damages and injuries
- Negotiate a fair settlement agreement with the insurance company
- Work with expert witnesses to prove fault and damages, as necessary
- Prepare to argue the case in court if the other party refuses to pay a fair amount for settlement
You deserve to be treated fairly and with respect after a car accident. Our legal team will stand with you as we fight for just compensation.
Contact us now to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Tampa auto accident attorney.
What is Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance coverage protects you if an uninsured driver causes a car crash. The coverage generally applies to hit and run accidents, too.
Most insurance companies offer uninsured motorist coverage as part of their optional insurance choices. You may also choose to purchase underinsured motorist coverage, uninsured motorist property damage coverage, liability coverage for bodily injuries, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage. Other optional insurance choices may also be available.
Understanding Florida’s no-fault insurance laws and liability insurance coverage helps you understand uninsured motorist coverage.
Filing Insurance Claims After a Car Accident in Tampa, FL
Florida requires drivers to purchase no-fault insurance coverage. Each driver must have at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. After a traffic accident, you file a claim for medical expenses and lost income with your no-fault insurance provider, regardless of who caused the accident.
If you sustained serious injuries, you might also file a claim against the at-fault driver to seek compensation for damages. If the driver has liability insurance, you file a claim with their auto insurance provider. Liability insurance compensates accident victims for damages caused by the insured driver.
To recover damages from the other driver’s liability insurance, you must prove that they were responsible for causing the car crash.
If the insurance company accepts liability for the claim, you can receive compensation for damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Car repairs
- Medical bills and expenses
- Loss of income and benefits
- Decreased quality of life
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
However, the driver may not have sufficient insurance coverage to pay for all of your damages, or may not have liability coverage at all. In that case, you can file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company.
How Does an Uninsured Motorist Claim Work in Tampa, FL?
You request compensation for unpaid damages when you file an uninsured motorist claim. Your insurance provider may compensate you for the difference between your total damages and the amount you received from the other driver, if any.
Your insurance provider may fight or deny your claim using several arguments, such as:
- You failed to prove that the other driver caused the crash
- Your injuries are not as severe as you claim
- Your damages are not as extensive as you allege
- The accident did not cause your injuries
- Your insurance policy does not apply to this situation
Insurance companies routinely fight uninsured motorist claims. They use any reason possible to avoid paying claims. Our lawyers are aware of unfair insurance tactics, and we fight back.
We build a solid case to support allegations of fault against the other driver. Our legal team presents a detailed analysis of your injuries and damages. Then, if your insurance company still refuses to pay a UM claim, we can litigate the matter in court.
Contact Our Tampa Car Accident Law Firm
Uninsured drivers and hit and run drivers can cause catastrophic injuries and unimaginable pain and suffering. They deserve to be held liable for their conduct. You deserve to be compensated for the damages caused by negligent and careless individuals.
Our car accident attorneys at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers are ready to help. We can provide legal assistance in any type of car accident including:
- Head-on crashes,
- Highway crashes,
- Lane change accidents,
- Left-turn accidents,
- Rear-end collisions,
- Recreational vehicle accidents,
- Red and yellow light accidents,
- Rollover accidents,
- And more.
Call now for a free consultation to discuss your case with a Tampa car accident attorney.
