Did You Know? Florida Has Highest Rate of Uninsured Drivers

Florida is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, exciting theme parks, and tons of wildlife. Along with being filled with such diverse culture and attributes, Florida is also the third fastest-growing state in the United States, with a growth rate of 14.56%. While Florida may be a popular tourist destination with tropical views, it is also home to the country’s highest rate of uninsured drivers. 

The Florida injury attorneys of Baker Legal Team have helped many victims who were injured in a car accident caused by an uninsured driver. While these do not make it easy to pursue compensation for damages the victim may have suffered due to their negligence, the absence of an insurance provider does not mean building an injury claim is not possible. 

Is Florida the Only State with a High Rate of Uninsured Drivers?

There are other states that rival Florida for having a high rate of uninsured drivers on their roads. The national average for uninsured drivers is 13%, and Florida exceeds that, coming in at 26.7%. While Florida has the highest rate, the following states are seeing alarmingly high rates of uninsured drivers: 

• Mississippi: 23.7%
• New Mexico: 20.8%
• Michigan: 20.3%
• Tennessee: 20%
• Alabama: 18.4%

While these states and Florida have the highest rates of uninsured drivers, the states that boast the lowest rates of uninsured drivers are Maine, New York, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.

What If I Get in an Accident with a Minimally Insured Driver?

While there is a high rate of drivers in Florida with no insurance, many Floridians also carry only the minimum auto insurance required. In Florida, the minimum insurance required of a driver covers only $10,000 of personal injury protection coverage. This type of insurance only covers the driver or resident relatives and will not be enough to cover any damages you may suffer due to the accident. 

What to Do in a Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver

If you have been injured in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you may be feeling helpless. While Florida law will bring consequences to the at-fault driver, those consequences will not bring much relief to the accident victim. While the at-fault driver may be brought to justice and face penalties such as losing their license, that will not help a victim pay for the damages they may have suffered. 

If you were thinking of suing the uninsured driver in court, it is not advisable. If the uninsured driver did not have the financial means to provide themselves with auto insurance, they may not have funds worth going after. Instead, the other option you have is to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance to prevent this adverse outcome. While adding this to your regular auto insurance payment may be an extra monthly cost, if you live in a state with a high rate of uninsured drivers, that cost may be worth it one day. 

Partner with Florida Injury Attorneys to Build Your Claim

Getting into an accident may leave you frightened, wondering what will happen next. It does not make matters better when you discover that the driver you got into an accident with is uninsured. As a Floridian, the chances of that happening are the highest in the country. However, getting in an accident with an uninsured driver does not mean all hope of getting compensated for damages is lost. 

Robert Baker of Baker Legal Team is an award-winning injury attorney helping victims restart their lives after an injury in Florida. Less than one percent of Florida lawyers are board-certified, so consider hiring Board-Certified lawyer Robert Baker. With over 30 years of experience, Baker Legal Team may be able to help build your personal injury claim. For a free case evaluation, contact us here or call (561) 320-0000.