Accidents Involving Uninsured Tractor-Trailers
Florida is one of the U.S. states, as of this writing, that has a no-fault auto insurance system in place. In these systems, fault in most auto accidents is not determined; rather, every driver – in theory – carries personal injury protection (PIP) insurance designed to cover medical bills in the event of a crash. If a driver lacks PIP insurance, the injured person in an accident may have a hard time recovering damages – but when the at-fault driver is operating a tractor-trailer or other large truck, things can become even more complex. The right attorney can help.
Uninsured Drivers On Florida Roads
Data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) estimates that as of February 2025, the uninsured motorist rate in the state is around 6 percent. However, data from other sources estimates a range of almost triple that; in Newsweek in February 2024, the rate was around 16 percent. Regardless of the rate, though, it is a fact that far more drivers in Florida do not carry the required insurance coverage, placing an injured victim in a bind in the event of an accident.
It is much more rare for a tractor-trailer driver to not carry the appropriate insurance coverage, simply because very often this is paid for by their employer – after all, employers do not want to be on the proverbial hook for accident-related damages if at all possible. However, it does happen, most notably due to one of three factors: if the driver is an independent contractor, if their insurance has lapsed due to financial issues, or if the driver deliberately avoided obtaining coverage due to a criminal record.
Multiple Options For Compensation
If you are ever involved in an accident with a negligent tractor-trailer driver in Florida, there are two potential avenues you can try and pursue in order to get your medical bills paid. One is to file a claim with your own personal injury protection insurer, particularly if you carry uninsured motorist coverage (UIM); in many cases, your own policy will cover your bills because it covers the individual (or the family), rather than the specific vehicle.
The other potential avenue is to seek compensation from the driver’s employer. Even if the driver is an independent contractor, a transport company is responsible for the consequences of any tort (essentially, the civil law version of a crime) their workers commit as long as the employee is acting within the scope of their employment. In other words, if the driver was engaged in their employer’s business when the accident occurred, the transport company may be liable.
Contact A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney
Being involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer can be a frightening experience, but it can feel even worse if it is difficult to recover damages for what you have been through. A Tampa tractor-trailer accident attorney can help; contact the Rinaldo Law Group today for compassionate and knowledgeable representation. Call our office at (813) 831-9999 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/insurance/uninsured-motorist-rate/
