Motor vehicle accidents have many causes: inattentive drivers, intoxicated drivers, dangerous weather conditions and even poor road maintenance. No matter what the cause, the impact can be devastating. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an attorney.
Effective Florida Auto Accident Lawyers
Attorneys at The McLeod Firm, in St. Augustine, Florida, have the skill, the experience and the resources needed to effectively handle even the most complex car and motorcycle accident cases. We strive to settle cases whenever possible, but we are also realistic and begin preparing for trial as soon as we accept cases. This sends a strong message to defendants and their insurance companies: settle for a reasonable amount now or risk facing our lawyers in court.
If you or a family member of you family has been seriously injured in a Florida car accident, we can help. Call or contact The McLeod Firm today.
Thank you for contacting The McLeod Firm. Your message has been sent.
Call us now
or use the form below.
At The McLeod Firm in St. Augustine, Florida, we provide effective, results-oriented legal representation on behalf of people injured in car crashes and other types of motor vehicle accidents. Contact our attorneys today for a free initial consultation and find out whether we are the right firm for you.
If you have been injured in any type of car accident or truck accident, it's important that you get appropriate medical care right away. It's also important that you not make statements about the accident to anyone until you've talked to a lawyer. To do that now, call The McLeod Firm at 904-471-5007.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
When a driver refuses or is unable to carry proper motor vehicle insurance, that driver puts more than just him or herself at risk. If the driver injures another person, the insurance will be inadequate to cover the damages. Injured parties, however, may be covered by their own insurance policies; uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims in these cases. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact The McLeod Firm in Saint Augustine, Florida, schedule a consultation with an attorney to create a plan of action.
Uninsured Motorists
Even if your state requires all drivers to carry auto insurance, the driver who injured you or your passenger may not have had insurance. Or, you may have been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, making it impossible to identify the driver at all.
These are situations where uninsured motorist coverage will step in to protect your interests. Many states require auto insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage. If your insurance company offers uninsured motorist coverage, and you chose to include it in your policy, then your insurance company will act as if it were the at-fault driver’s insurance company in compensating you.
When you file an uninsured motorist claim, your insurance company’s interests can be adverse to your interests. Consulting with an attorney before filing a claim is wise.
Underinsured Motorists
When the at-fault driver is underinsured, this means that the driver has purchased an auto insurance policy that does not provide enough coverage for your damages. If you have underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to collect, from your own insurance company, the amount of your damages that exceeds the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.
Collecting Insurance Benefits
To recover benefits under an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, the victim typically will need to show that the other motorist was at fault. The victim will also need to prove that his or her bodily injuries were significant. To collect benefits under an underinsured motorist policy, the victim will need to collect as much as possible from the at-fault driver’s insurance company first.
Stacking Insurance Coverage
In some states and under some insurance policies, an injured party may “stack” various policies to reach a satisfactory level of compensation. By stacking coverage from more than one auto insurance policy — or coverage for more than one car on a single policy — the injured party increases monetary recovery. Stackable coverage is not allowed in every state; in some cases, the insured must choose to have stackable coverage upon purchasing the policy.
Contact an Attorney
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims when they are most vulnerable. Not every policy has such coverage, however, and the victim’s approach to the situation can change the level of compensation he or she receives. Indeed, some rules do not require the victim’s insurance company to pay the victim if the victim settles prematurely with the at-fault motorist’s insurance company. This is why it is so important to work with an experienced attorney from The McLeod Firm in Saint Augustine, Florida.
Copyright ©2011 FindLaw, a Thomson Reuters Business
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
