Over 35 Years of Experience. No Fee If No Recovery. 5-Star Rated

March 21, 2025 · Legal Newsletter

Hit by Uninsured Driver? How Templer & Hirsch Can Help

If a driver with no insurance hit you in Florida, here is the honest answer up front. Your own policy carries most of the claim. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays part of your medical bills and lost pay no matter who caused the crash, and you have to get treatment within 14 days for it to apply. If you bought Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, that is what steps in for the rest, and it also covers hit and run drivers. Without UM coverage you can still sue the driver in person, but collecting from someone with no insurance and no assets is hard.

I am Mark Hirsch. I handle car accident claims in Aventura and across South Florida. The uninsured crash call usually starts the same way: the other driver handed over a phone number instead of an insurance card, and now nobody answers that number. By the end you will know how to report the crash so the record holds up, how to protect your PIP benefits, when UM coverage applies, and what is left if you never bought UM.

Key takeaways

  • Call the police even when the other driver asks you not to. The report is the record of who had insurance and who did not.
  • PIP pays first in Florida, and the 14 day treatment window applies no matter who caused the crash.
  • UM coverage is optional in Florida. Read your own declarations page before you assume you have none.
  • UM also applies to hit and run drivers and to drivers whose limits are too small for the harm done.
  • Suing an uninsured driver is possible, but a judgment is only worth what that person can actually pay.
  • Someone else may share the blame, such as an employer if the driver was working at the time.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Call 911

First things first: no matter what the other driver says, always report the accident to the police. A formal police report is critical, especially in uninsured motorist cases, because it documents:

  • Who was involved
  • Who appears to be at fault
  • Insurance information (or lack thereof)
  • Statements from drivers and witnesses

Even if the damage seems minor, having a report on file strengthens your claim later.

Step 2: Get As Much Information as Possible

If the other driver is uninsured, they may be hesitant to give you their details. Still, try to collect:

  • Their name, phone number, and address
  • License plate number and driver’s license
  • Photos of their vehicle, your vehicle, and the scene
  • Witness contact information

This evidence may help your attorney prove liability or identify other responsible parties.

Step 3: Seek Medical Attention

If you’re injured, get checked out by a doctor right away. In Florida, you only have 14 days to seek medical care under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance to qualify for benefits. Even if you feel okay, symptoms from whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries may not show up immediately.

Step 4: File a Claim Through Your Own Insurance

Florida is a no-fault state, which means your PIP coverage will pay for a portion of your medical bills and lost wages: regardless of who was at fault. However, if your injuries are serious and your expenses exceed your PIP limits, you may be able to turn to your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage.

What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

UM coverage protects you when:

  • The at-fault driver has no insurance
  • The driver flees the scene (hit-and-run)
  • The other driver’s insurance is too minimal to cover your damages

UM coverage is optional in Florida, but if you’ve added it to your policy, it can be a lifesaver in situations like these. This matters even more when the other driver had no license at all, which we cover in our guide to being hit by an unlicensed driver in Florida and what Isaiah's Law changes.

Step 5: Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney ASAP

Uninsured motorist claims can be tricky. Insurance companies may delay or deny your claim, or offer a lowball settlement. Having an experienced attorney on your side ensures:

  • You don’t leave money on the table
  • You know your full rights under Florida law
  • You have someone to handle all the paperwork, negotiations, and legal strategy

Real Case Example: Templer & Hirsch in Action

At Templer & Hirsch Injury Lawyers, we’ve successfully handled many uninsured motorist cases. One recent case involved a client who was rear-ended by a driver with no insurance and no assets. The accident caused significant back injuries that required ongoing treatment.

We investigated the case and discovered our client had uninsured motorist coverage through their own auto policy. However, the insurance company initially tried to deny the full extent of the damages, claiming the injuries were pre-existing.

Our team fought back. We gathered medical records, brought in expert testimony, and negotiated aggressively. In the end, we secured a $215,000 settlement: far more than what the insurance company initially offered. The client was able to cover medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering without ever going to court.

👉 Explore more about how we fight for car accident victims in Aventura here.

What If I Don’t Have UM Coverage?

If the at-fault driver is uninsured and you don’t have UM coverage, your options are more limited, but not impossible:

  • You may be able to sue the at-fault driver personally, although collecting compensation can be difficult if they don’t have assets.
  • A skilled attorney can investigate whether other parties may share liability: such as an employer if the driver was working at the time.
  • If the accident involved defective vehicle equipment or poor road conditions, there may be a product liability or government negligence angle to explore.

Don’t Wait: Time Is Limited

Florida’s statute of limitations gives you just two years (as of 2023) to file a personal injury claim. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the stronger your case will be.

Why Choose Templer & Hirsch Injury Lawyers?

  • ✅ Over 30 years of experience
  • ✅ Proven track record of results
  • ✅ Free consultations and no fees unless we win
  • ✅ Personalized, compassionate legal support

Dealing with an uninsured driver can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let us handle the legal stress so you can focus on healing.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

If you’ve been injured by an uninsured driver in Florida, don’t guess your way through the process. Let Templer & Hirsch Injury Lawyers help you recover what you’re owed.

📞 Call us today or fill out our quick form to get started with your free case evaluation.

👉 Click here to contact our experienced Aventura Car Accident Attorneys.

This is general information, not legal advice; consult an attorney about your situation.

Have Questions About Your Legal Rights?

Free consultation. No obligation. No fee unless we recover for you.