There are many rules that people should follow if they want to drive in Florida. They generally need to have a license and to comply with traffic regulations. They should also carry insurance to protect themselves from liability and injury-related costs. However, failure to comply with certain rules does not automatically eliminate someone’s rights under different laws.
Those involved in crashes sometimes wrongfully believe that because they do not have proper immigration documentation that they cannot pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Additionally, if an individual does not have health insurance or car insurance coverage, they may convince themselves that they have no right to make a claim against the driver at fault for the crash for their injuries. In Florida, neither someone’s lack of insurance coverage nor their immigration status eliminates their rights to pursue compensation for an injury.
Car insurance can cover injury expenses
The requirements for car insurance are a source of confusion for some people who believe they have a right to file a claim related to an injury. Florida car insurance policies include no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) and also injury-related liability coverage.
If someone has their own insurance policy, their PIP coverage can help pay for some of their medical expenses. If they do not, they may then depend on the liability coverage of the driver who caused the crash. When that coverage isn’t enough to pay for someone’s medical bills and lost wages, they can potentially take the matter to civil court.
Personal injury lawsuits are an option even when the party filing the claim has neither health insurance nor car insurance of their own. Drivers and passengers alike have a right to hold a driver accountable for dangerous conduct in traffic. Someone’s immigration status will also have no bearing on their right to hold someone responsible for being negligent or unsafe on the road.
Those who understand their rights under Florida law will be in a better position to make use of those legal protections if they get hurt in a car crash. Discussing the situation that led to someone’s injury with an attorney can help them to better establish their options after a motor vehicle collision.