Florida does not require the same kind of insurance that many other states mandate. While liability coverage is the standard elsewhere, Florida requires a combination of no-fault injury coverage and property damage coverage based on liability.
Every driver needs to have at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which is no-fault coverage that applies to medical expenses and lost wages. Florida drivers typically also need to carry at least $10,000 in property damage liability coverage. Anything beyond that is completely voluntary coverage.
Unfortunately, these low requirements may keep costs for insurance affordable, but they put people at a marked disadvantage if they need to file a claim after a deadly car crash.
Drivers may not have liability coverage that applies
Drivers out on Florida roads with only the baseline amount of insurance will not be able to adequately reimburse those who lose a loved one in a crash. Instead, their policy may only provide property damage coverage, while the family has to make a claim against the deceased individual’s PIP coverage.
With only $10,000 of such coverage, families may not be able to pay someone’s hospital bills, let alone replace the income they previously provided for the family. Some drivers do make the choice to carry extra insurance, but not everyone plans ahead for the possibility of a deadly collision. Those who lose a loved one in a traffic collision may struggle to recoup the financial cost the crash generates by just using insurance.
Lawsuits are an option after a serious wreck
If the driver who caused the crash does not have adequate insurance, they leave themselves open to the possibility of a civil lawsuit. Florida permits wrongful death claims when someone’s violation of traffic laws or negligent behavior causes the death of another party.
Traffic collisions can result in grounds upon which to file wrongful death claims against an individual driver or possibly a company that employed someone who caused a crash. While people may not like the idea of going to court after a fatal wreck, it may be the only option for helping their family recoup the financial losses they have suffered as a result of their loved one’s death. Learning more about insurance and wrongful death statutes can help those who have been affected by a major crash in Florida pursue justice alongside an experienced attorney.
