Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming. However, when the at-fault driver is from a different state, the process can become even more complicated. If you were injured by an out-of-state driver, it’s in your best interest to enlist the help of an experienced Manatee County Car Accident Lawyer who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Please continue reading to learn how state regulations apply to these claims.
How Does Accident Compensation Work?
If you have been hit by an out-of-state driver, it’s important to understand that Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that an injured party can recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident. However, they can recover compensation as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. If they are found to be more than 50% liable for the accident, they will face the absolute bar of recovery. If they are less, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault for the accident.
Some states follow the contributory negligence doctrine. Under this rule, an injured party is barred from recovering compensation if they were partially responsible for their injuries. Florida has more lenient negligent laws than some bordering states, barring you from receiving compensation if your negligence contributed to the cause of the accident.
What Happens if I’m in a Car Accident with an Out-of-State Driver?
If you have been struck by an out-of-state driver, you are still entitled to file an insurance claim against them through their insurance policy. Generally, car insurance policies apply across state lines, meaning you can pursue compensation for your damages even though the driver is from a different state. Insurance policies are usually written to follow the laws of the state in which they are purchased, so as long as your auto insurance claim falls within the guidelines of the policy, you shouldn’t run into any problems recovering compensation just because the accident involved an out-of-state driver. Therefore, filing a claim against an out-of-state driver is similar to filing a claim against an in-state driver.
If the driver comes from a state with lower minimum limits than Florida, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits would increase to meet the Florida minimums. However, this doesn’t typically happen as most drivers purchase more than the minimum required coverage. If the at-fault driver’s insurance is not able to cover your claim, you can resort to your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This is because many no-falt states still require drivers to purchase liability coverage.
If you have been involved in a car accident and the at-fault driver is from another state, please don’t hesitate to contact a trusted Manatee County car accident lawyer from Becker & Linadauer, LLC, who can help you seek the compensation you need to recover physically, financially, and emotionally. Connect with our firm today to discuss your case.
