{"id":54676,"date":"2026-09-23T23:11:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T23:11:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/car-accident-settlements-florida\/uninsured-underinsured-motorist-car-accident\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T15:40:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T15:40:23","slug":"uninsured-underinsured-motorist-car-accident","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/car-accident-settlements-florida\/uninsured-underinsured-motorist-car-accident\/","title":{"rendered":"Personal Injury Car Accident Guide: What Florida Injury Victims Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Car Accident Guide | Serving Florida<\/p>

After a Car Accident in Florida, Know Your Next Steps<\/h1>

Plain-language guidance from CHG Personal Injury Lawyers for injured people and their families, from a minor fender-bender to a crash that changes life permanently.<\/p>

Request a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div>
Request a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why Floridians Contact Our Firm<\/h2>\n

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Florida<\/h3>

Florida-based firm serving clients throughout the state<\/p><\/div>

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Free<\/h3>

Confidential first consultation with no obligation to continue<\/p><\/div>

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Licensed<\/h3>

Attorneys admitted to The Florida Bar<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published October 21, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Average Settlement Personal Injury Car Accident Guide<\/h2>\n\n
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Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Florida: UM\/UIM Protection Explained<\/h2>\n

Another driver hits you. That driver has no insurance. Or their coverage is not enough. Your medical bills, repairs, and lost wages do not go away. Your own uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can help protect you.<\/p>\n

This page explains how UM and UIM coverage works in Florida. It also explains how a car accident settlement is calculated. You will learn what each type of coverage does. You will also learn how settlements work and how you can protect yourself.<\/p>\n

What Happens When an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver Hits You<\/h2>\n

When the at-fault driver has no insurance, or not enough, a gap opens. Your losses may be larger than what you can recover from that driver.<\/p>\n

Your own policy may include UM or UIM coverage. Most drivers do not understand this safety net until they need it.<\/p>\n

Without UM or UIM coverage, you would have to sue the uninsured driver personally. That often fails. The driver may have no money or assets.<\/p>\n

With UM or UIM coverage, your own insurer pays your damages up to your policy limits.<\/p>\n

Review your coverage before an accident happens. Most drivers do not.<\/p>\n

Understanding Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage<\/h2>\n

UM coverage may apply when the at-fault driver has no insurance or is underinsured. It covers damages for bodily injury<\/a>. Bodily injury means harm to your body. It includes medical bills and lost wages, but pain and suffering is not included unless the injury or disease is described in one or more of paragraphs (a)-(d) of s. 627.737(2).<\/p>\n

UM coverage is available and common in Florida. Your UM limit is the most your insurer will pay. That limit directly affects how much you recover.<\/p>\n

For example, say your UM limit is $25,000. Your damages total $50,000. You can get up to $25,000 from your own policy.<\/p>\n

Many drivers carry low UM limits without realizing it. A higher UM limit costs little more. It can help a lot after a serious accident.<\/p>\n

Understanding Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage<\/h2>\n

UIM coverage fills the gap. It applies when the at-fault driver has insurance. But that insurance is not enough to cover your full losses.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> The at-fault driver has a $25,000 liability limit. Your damages total $75,000. Your UIM coverage pays the difference, up to your UIM limit. This helps you recover closer to your actual losses.<\/p>\n

UIM coverage is separate from UM coverage. It is just as important.<\/p>\n

Florida law lets insurers offer uninsured motorist policies that bar stacking. Stacking means adding coverage across multiple vehicles.<\/p>\n

Whether stacking is available depends on your policy wording. Check your declarations page. This is the summary page of your policy.<\/p>\n

Many drivers do not know they have UIM coverage or how it works. This gap costs people thousands of dollars in damages they never recover.<\/p>\n

How an Average Settlement Personal Injury Car Accident Claim Is Calculated<\/h2>\n

A settlement usually combines two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Damages are the losses you can ask to be paid for.<\/p>\n

Economic damages<\/strong> are costs you can prove with receipts. These include repair estimates, medical bills, rental car costs, and lost wages. They form the foundation of most settlements.<\/p>\n

Non-economic damages<\/strong> include pain and suffering and emotional distress. They are harder to measure. They are often included, especially when there are injuries. In property-damage-only accidents, non-economic damages are usually small.<\/p>\n

Liability<\/strong> is the third piece. Liability means who was at fault. Insurance adjusters review claims for insurers. They decide who was at fault. They also decide how clear the evidence is.<\/p>\n

Clear liability usually leads to faster and higher settlements. Disputed liability can lower offers. The insurer is less sure it will be held responsible.<\/p>\n

Important: Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you.<\/strong> Their first offer is rarely their best.<\/p>\n

Average Settlement for Non-Injury Car Accidents in Florida<\/h2>\n

For car accidents<\/a> without injuries in Florida, settlements vary widely. They depend on repair costs and how clear liability is. These settlements cover vehicle damage. That means the cost to repair or replace your car. They may also cover rental car fees and other expenses.<\/p>\n

Several factors can push a settlement higher or lower:<\/p>\n