Woman on cell phone crouched on the pavement with a single car accident behind her.

Single Vehicle Accidents & The Insurance Coverage You Will Need to Seek Compensation

Receiving Compensation in a Single Vehicle Accident

Single-vehicle accidents are not uncommon on Florida roads and throughout the U.S. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2019, there were 1,588 fatalities caused by single-vehicle crashes in Florida. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that collisions between a motor vehicle and a fixed object accounted for over 26% of all motor vehicle-related crash deaths and 11.2% of injuries nationwide.

When a single-vehicle crash causes severe injuries to the driver and their passengers, it underscores the need for Floridians to be aware of their rights. Here's how uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help you recover compensation for your injuries in a single-vehicle crash.

Understanding UM/UIM Insurance Coverage

After being involved in a single-vehicle accident, injured victims can file a claim for bodily injury through the driver's insurance. However, it is recommended to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This will ensure that if you are in an accident and the defendant has insufficient coverage or no coverage to compensate you for your injuries and pain and suffering, your own UM/UIM coverage will be there for you.

UM/UIM coverage can cover medical expenses, lost wages, future medical expenses, disability, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. UM/UIM coverage also protects you from such losses even if you are not in your own insured vehicle.

While Florida insurance companies must offer you UM insurance, you can elect to waive your right to this coverage, but this is not recommended.

Filing a Claim Under UM/UIM Coverage

Those passengers injured in an accident have the right to file injury claims under:

  • The injury coverage of the driver of any liable vehicle
  • The injury coverage of the owner of any liable vehicle
  • The injury coverage of the driver if they were partially liable
  • The injury coverage of the owner of the car you were in your driver was partly at-fault

Furthermore, most UM policies will offer coverage for those injured in auto accidents involving a phantom vehicle; that is, one party who leaves the scene of the accident and is unidentified. Be sure to report any phantom vehicle accident to your insurer as soon as possible.

However, it's critical to understand that uninsured motorist coverage does not cover property damages to your vehicle if you were the driver in a single-vehicle crash. You would need to file a claim through your own collision coverage for property damage.

Related Article: What Are Florida's Auto Insurance Requirements?

What Is PIP Insurance, and How Can This Protect You?

When injured in a car crash, you can also file a claim under Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of the driver or owner's insurance policy — which is not based on fault and does not require interactions with insurance companies as to who was to blame for the accident. This will cover up to the first $10,000 of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other potential coverage.

Related Article: How Does PIP Insurance Work in Florida?

Injured in a Single Vehicle Crash? Contact Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A.

Speak with the trusted Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A. to handle the complexities of your accident and recover the damages you need to cover any losses incurred.

Contact Rosenberg & Rosenberg, P.A. today at (888) 499-6206 to schedule a free consultation.

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