If everyone in Florida always followed traffic laws, the number of collisions every year would drop significantly. From wearing seat belts to reduce the severity of crashes when they occur to consistently using turn signals and following the speed limit, there are many traffic statutes that people violate without considering how those choices may put their safety at risk.
Not only do people break the rules of the road, but they may also violate the statutes that control who can lawfully operate a motor vehicle. Quite a few people drive without a license or after the state has suspended their license. There are also some people who drive without insurance. There are legitimate reasons why those uninsured motorists are a significant concern for others who encounter them in traffic.
Florida has a large number of uninsured drivers
When compared with many other states, Florida has a relatively high number of people on the road without proper insurance. At least as of 2019, Florida is one of the worst states in the country for uninsured driver risk. Florida had the sixth-highest rate of uninsured drivers, with an estimated 20.4% of motorists not having coverage at any given time. A large number of people every year get hurt in crashes caused by drivers without insurance.
What happens after a crash caused by an uninsured driver?
If someone without an active insurance policy causes a crash in Florida, the other parties involved in the collision have options available to them. They can use their own policy to access a limited amount of no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for themselves and their passengers. If they invested in uninsured motorist coverage, that might help them cover some costs as well. Oftentimes, the only means of holding someone without insurance accountable for a crash that they cause will require going to civil court. Personal injury lawsuits, including wrongful death lawsuits, can lead to judgments that grant people appropriate compensation given the losses they have suffered.
The prevalence of drivers without proper coverage on Florida roads is cause for concern, but knowing about their presence can help people better prepare to deal with the aftermath of a crash caused by one of these irresponsible drivers. Understanding the different safety concerns for drivers in Florida may help people reduce their risk and better respond to any collision they experience.