In the state of Florida, drivers are not legally required to carry minimum liability coverage. Instead, they must carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for themselves, which can also pay for their household members, their children and certain other non-driving occupants in the event of an auto accident.
These requirements mean that since no one is forced to carry minimum liability coverage, accident victims can end up paying for their own injuries through a combination of PIP coverage and out-of-pocket expenses.
Additionally, Florida has the second-highest number of drivers who do not carry the legal limit of coverage. According to the Orlando Sentinel, 23.8 percent of Florida drivers are uninsured — nearly one in four. Therefore, individuals who sustain injuries as a result of an accident may be left with far too little money to pay for their actual medical expenses and other personal injuries, which can easily exceed $10,000 including lost wages.
Insurers willing to grant claims will only pay up to the policy minimum. The rest of the financial burden must either be borne by the victim or by someone deemed at-fault in civil court.
In order to pursue compensation through civil action after an auto accident, a police report should be filed stating ideally that the injury victim was not at-fault for the accident or that they did not share the majority of fault. Then, the victim can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party in order to receive the remainder of their compensation for their injury.