According to Insurance Information Institute, the average annual cost of automobile insurance in our state is $1,055, which ranks Florida fourth highest among all states.
Automobile insurance can be costly but motorists who drive on a regular basis need to bite the bullet because you won’t discover how important a policy’s coverage is until you have been involved in a severe or near fatal car accident in Lake Worth, Margate, Fort Pierce or elsewhere in the state.
Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys want to reiterate the importance of understanding what is included in your automobile policy because trying to cut costs on monthly premiums could have severe consequences later.
Medical costs for injuries sustained in a car accident can be astronomical so it is important to know your coverage and not to fear going after an insurer to get the compensation needed to recover from serious injuries. If you are involved in a serious car accident, you do have options and should contact an experienced attorney to explore what avenues can be taken to receive the compensation you deserve.
Victims in accidents may not be able to solely depend on compensation from the at-fault driver. You may need to consider collecting from your own policy or filing against policies held by other drivers in the household.
A victim in a 2006 motorcycle accident was recently awarded almost a million dollars in restitution but may never see a penny of it. Marco News reports a drunk driver, who was driving three times over the legal limit, has spent three years in prison and has now been ordered by a Collier County court judge to pay the victim. The at-fault driver claims she has no income or assets following the tragedy that severely injured the motorcyclist.
In a recent restitution hearing the victim testified to the accumulation of medical bills in excess of $1 million and over $200,000 in lost wages over the last five years since the accident. The victim before the accident enjoyed athletic activities and was known to bench 350 pounds and squat 500 pounds in the weight room. Following the accident, the victim suffered a shattered pelvis, collapsed lung and kidney failure and lives in constant pain managed by painkillers. The last surgery performed on his leg caused permanent damage and the victim is forced to now walk with a cane.
The victim’s insurance coverage was for $1 million, of which he blew through in two months’ time following the accident; he was forced to leave the hospital. By being kicked out of the hospital prematurely, his pelvis was not able to heal properly. To make matters worse, his insurance company cut him off with almost $35,000 remaining in medical bills. The victim can’t work and by the time he reaches the age to collect social security he will lose in excess of $500,000 in annual income that he would have earned in salary before the accident happened.
The charged drunk driver is now serving probation and must pay $52 a month. The victim has the option of hiring an attorney in a civil action case that would garnish the at-fault driver’s wages among other things to finally get the compensation he deserves.
This is a prime example and a lesson to be learned that it only takes a split second for your life to change forever. If you are the victim of a car accident that changes your life forever, don’t be short-changed. Contact an experienced attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you have questions about auto insurance or need clarification about Florida coverage, visit Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles online.
If you or a loved one is involved in a drunk driving collision in Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade or anywhere in South Florida, contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for experienced advice about your rights. Call 1-800-561-7777 for a free consultation.
Additional Resources:
Judge orders woman who struck motorcyclist in DUI crash to pay $1 million, by Sabina Bhasin, Marco News.
More Blog Entries:
Learned Behavior Can Result in Higher Risk of Teen Involvement in Drunk Driving Accidents in Fort Pierce, Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, September 30, 2011.
Victim Awarded More than $15 Million after Fort Lauderdale Drunk Driving Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, July 13, 2011.
Palm Beach Car Accidents Costly in Terms of Medical Expenses and Lost Time at Work, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, May 17, 2011.