Learn how you can recover compensation if you are in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance
It’s common knowledge that after an accident, the involved parties need to exchange insurance information. Then, the insurance companies will work it out so that the at-fault party’s coverage pays for any injuries or property damage.
But what do you do if the person who caused your accident doesn’t have insurance, or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all your damages? Can you still get compensation?
The answer is a resounding maybe.
It all depends on whether or not you’ve bought the appropriate coverage on your own insurance policy.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver by allowing you to collect damages from your own insurance policy, rather than the at-fault driver’s. This coverage is optional and you must specifically elect to purchase it when buying your car insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage will provide all the same types of damages as you would be able to collect from the at-fault driver if they had coverage, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Underinsured motorist coverage is typically purchased at the same time as uninsured motorist coverage and included with it. It works in much the same way, except it will only kick in after you have used up the coverage provided by the at-fault driver’s policy. So say someone ran a red light and smashed your car, and you had $50,000 in damages. If they were underinsured—meaning they carried a low amount of liability coverage—their insurance might only pay $15,000 before the policy limit is reached. If you have underinsured motorist coverage, you could collect the remaining $35,000 from your own insurance company—provided your own policy limits allow for that much coverage.
Do You Still Need an Attorney?
Yes. Any time you are seeking compensation for injuries suffered in a car accident, it is in your best interests to consult an attorney. This is true regardless of whose insurance coverage you will be collecting from. After all, every insurance company wants to protect their own bottom line by minimizing the damages they have to pay out on claims.
As your motor vehicle accident attorney, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker can help you properly document and value your damages, which will make it more difficult for the insurance company to avoid paying what you deserve. To learn more, please contact us at 800-333-0000 for a free initial consultation.
