Attorney Spotlight: Mark Stallworth
Clients trust Mark Stallworth for his sharp trial instincts, strategic approach, and relentless advocacy. As a former prosecutor with over two decades of litigation experience, he brings a level of courtroom credibility and insight that few civil attorneys can match.
Before founding Stallworth Law, Mark served as one of Florida’s few Black Assistant State Attorneys, earning respect for his fairness, integrity, and commitment to justice. Today, he uses that foundation to fight for the injured, holding insurers and corporations accountable and recovering millions in high-stakes personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Understanding Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. And because the state doesn’t require bodily injury liability insurance, it’s entirely possible to be seriously injured in a crash where the at-fault driver has no coverage to pay for your medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.
To protect against this risk, many drivers carry uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is optional coverage you carry on your own auto insurance policy. It protects you when the other driver doesn’t have insurance, doesn’t have enough of it, or flees the scene in a hit-and-run.
UM/UIM coverage can help pay for:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and wrongful death expenses (in fatal crashes)
Even though you’re filing a claim with your own insurance company, that doesn’t mean they’ll pay you fairly. In many cases, insurers treat UM/UIM claims like any other adversarial claim — looking for ways to reduce or deny valid compensation. That’s where Stallworth Law can step in to protect your rights.
When Can You File a UM or UIM Claim?
You may be eligible to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim if:
- You were hit by a driver who had no liability insurance
- The at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t cover all your losses
- You were involved in a hit-and-run accident
- You were a pedestrian or cyclist hit by an uninsured driver
- You’re facing an insurance denial, delay, or lowball settlement offer
Florida’s no-fault insurance laws can complicate these cases, especially when you're dealing with serious injuries that exceed your PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. If your crash-related damages go beyond PIP, and the at-fault driver can’t cover the rest, your UM/UIM coverage may be the only safety net you have.
What Makes These Claims Difficult?
Many people are surprised to learn that their own insurance company can be just as aggressive as the at-fault driver’s insurer. Common issues in UM/UIM claims include:
- Disputes over how the crash happened
- Downplaying the severity of your injuries
- Blaming your medical history or prior conditions
- Delays, denials, or unfair settlement offers
- Refusing to pay out the full policy limit
At Stallworth Law, we take these tactics seriously. We work with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and insurance professionals to build a strong, fact-based case, and we don’t back down when insurers try to avoid responsibility.
What If You Don’t Know If You Have UM/UIM Coverage?
UM/UIM coverage is optional in Florida, but many drivers purchase it without realizing it. If you’re unsure whether you have this protection, we can help review your policy and explore all potential options for compensation.
If UM/UIM coverage isn’t available, we’ll still investigate whether other third parties — such as a vehicle owner, employer, or even a bar that overserved a drunk driver — may be legally responsible.
How Stallworth Law Helps with UM and UIM Claims
Uninsured motorist claims can be legally and emotionally exhausting, especially when you're already dealing with serious injuries. At Stallworth Law, we take over the legal burden so you can focus on healing. Our team helps by:
- Reviewing your auto insurance policy and all available coverages
- Investigating the crash and identifying all liable parties
- Calculating the full extent of your damages
- Negotiating aggressively with the insurance company
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary and preparing your case for trial
We don’t get paid unless we win. And from the moment you call, we treat your case with the urgency and care it deserves.
Don’t Wait to Take Action
Florida law limits the amount of time you must bring a claim, even when it involves your own insurance policy. In many cases, you must notify your insurer and begin the UM/UIM claim process within a reasonable timeframe and file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, which is typically two years under Florida’s new personal injury law (for crashes after March 2023).
Delaying your claim could hurt your chances of recovering compensation. Evidence can disappear. Memories fade. And insurers will use any gap in treatment or action against you.
Call for a Free Consultation: (813) 851-2286
If you were hit by an uninsured driver in Tampa or anywhere in the surrounding areas, you don’t have to face the insurance process alone. Stallworth Law is here to help.
We’ve recovered millions for clients in serious injury cases and understand what it takes to win, even when you’re going up against your own insurer. We offer free consultations and charge no legal fees unless we win.
Call (813) 851-2286 or contact us online to get started.
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