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Anyone who has ever been in an accident knows it is never a pleasant experience, regardless where the incident occurs. WalletHub recently released a study that examined data from all states (and the District of Columbia) with respect to liability coverage requirements and the approximate number of uninsured drivers in each state. So where did Florida rank?  Dead last.

Ft. Myers personal injury lawyers like Randall Spivey know that accidents can lead to costly medical bills, as well as lost wages--all of which can be devastating to a household’s finances. However, Florida drivers are only required to carry liability insurance coverage of up to $10,000 per individual, $20,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage.

In most incidents involving serious injuries, those coverage amounts will hardly put a dent in piling medical bills and other accident-related expenses. And all this is said under the assumption the at-fault driver even has insurance. The study also found that approximately one of every five drivers in the state is uninsured. So, what can you do to protect yourself?

Look Closely at Your Insurance Coverage

Most Florida drivers are aware of their requirement to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage; however, they are not required to carry uninsured motorist coverage. Based on the study findings and the fact that there are large numbers of uninsured motorists in the state, it is crucial for drivers to consider adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to their current policies.

Drivers often decline such coverage when offered because their premiums will be lower without it. Still, drivers should consider the additional amounts for coverage to be a worthy investment, particularly when you think about the possible amount of damage that could occur during a collision. Most personal injury attorneys will tell you that adding in those extra $20 or $30 per month could make a world of difference with respect to the amounts recovered for damages.

Hit-and-Runs Are Problematic Too

According to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida has a serious problem with hit-and-run drivers. The Department notes that those types of collisions have increased significantly over the years. When such accidents occur, drivers have no other choice except to rely on their own vehicle insurance coverage to cover their damages in the event the at-fault driver is not located or identified immediately.

What Does This Mean for You?

With respect to liability insurance coverage, Florida has some of the most lenient requirements, only followed by California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  Accident victims are often concerned with who will pay the bills after an accident or how they will pay their mortgage or rent if they are out of work for long periods of time.

That said, it is crucial for anyone who has been hurt in an automobile accident to seek legal guidance from a skilled personal injury lawyer who can review the facts of the case and determine the best course of action to take to obtain a fair and reasonable outcome.

Florida may be deemed the riskiest state for a driver’s pocketbook; however, Florida drivers do not have to attempt to handle their accident cases on their own -- help is available. Contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible to ensure your rights under the law are preserved.