A car accident is stressful enough on its own, but worrying about the financial aspects of your recovery on top of all that can be even more distressing. And what if the other party is not even capable of reimbursing you for your losses? If you have underinsured/uninsured motorist protection with your auto insurance, this should be less of an issue. Still, it can be challenging to know when and how this coverage will kick in after an accident and what types of benefits you’ll be able to receive from it.
Let’s explore the ins and outs of this type of protection and how it can help you through this difficult time before you reach out to a car wreck attorney in Decatur from The Super Lawyer Legal Group. Contact our Decatur injury attorneys today if you have questions about how and when uninsured/underinsured motorist protection helps you in a car accident claim.
We’ll help you get the reimbursement you deserve!
What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if the liable driver is uninsured. Whereas under-insured motorist coverage is an insurance policy that protects you if the liable driver has liability limits less than your policy’s limits of liability. The underinsured motorist coverage will kick in only if the injuries and damages you suffer exceed the limits of liability on the other driver’s policy. Usually, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection helps cover expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages, up to your policy’s limits when they exceed those of the at-fault party.
How Do I Initiate The Insurance Claim?
To start an insurance claim, you’ll need to get in touch with your insurance company (better to ask your attorney to do so) and provide them with the necessary information:
- The time and location of the accident
- Your name, address, date of birth, and driver’s license number
- The names of all drivers involved in the accident
- The license plate numbers for all vehicles involved in the accident
- The make, model, color, and year of all vehicles involved in the accident
- A description of any injuries sustained during the accident, including what body parts were injured and how badly they were hurt
- A description of any property damage caused by accident.
After giving this information to your insurance company or their representative over the phone, they will assign you a claims adjuster responsible for handling your car accident claim.
How Do I Make An Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claim?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help you with medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering if the person who caused your accident does not have insurance.
Wondering when should you make an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim?
First, contact your auto insurer or health insurer to see if you are entitled to coverage from them before making a claim on an uninsured or underinsured policy. Second, document everything about the collision by taking pictures of the scene as soon as possible and filling out a police report. It’s also important for both parties involved in the collision (you and the other driver) to get copies of each other’s licenses and contact information.
Will My Insurance Company Cover Me Even If They Know That The At-Fault Driver Was Uninsured Or Underinsured?
Yes, there are situations where your insurance company will cover you even if they know the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured. It is important to note that this does not happen very often. It typically only happens when the at-fault driver has caused a significant amount of property damage or bodily injury to you.
If the other driver was less than 50% at fault (among the two parties – you and them), then that’s a different story.
You can find out how much coverage you have by checking with your insurance provider.
There may be exceptions depending on factors like the number of people injured in an accident.
It is best to get legal representation early on to ensure that your rights are respected throughout.
Getting Help After An Accident With An Uninsured/Underinsured Driver
Getting help from an uninsured or underinsured driver can be difficult after an accident. The person who caused your accident often does not have any insurance to cover the cost of your medical bills and lost wages. If an uninsured or underinsured driver hurt you, here are some things that you should do:
- Gather all the evidence you can on the site.
- Get treatment for your injuries as soon as possible.
- Get copies of all your medical bills and keep track of all time missed from work to document how much money is owed to you.
- Seek legal representation immediately and ask your attorney to reach out to the other driver’s insurance company right away to know what to expect.
- File an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim with your insurer if need be.
Do I Have Any Responsibilities After An Accident With An Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Driver?
When you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist or underinsured driver, the car insurance company of the liable party may be unable to cover all the damages. So, if the other driver has insufficient insurance coverage, you could have been responsible for paying for all damages out-of-pocket. But fortunately, your auto policy will protect you against this possibility.
Uninsured motorist protection protects you from situations where the other driver doesn’t have any car insurance or enough liability limits to compensate you for their responsibility in the accident.
Let A Car Wreck Attorney In Decatur Help You!
It is not uncommon for an injured person to be involved in a car accident with an uninsured motorist or underinsured driver. In these cases, the injured person may have difficulty finding representation because many Decatur injury attorneys do not handle this type of case.
But that’s not us! At The Super Lawyer Legal Group, we have years of experience handling claims involving an uninsured motorist and underinsured drivers. We are committed to protecting the rights of all individuals who another’s negligence has hurt.
All injury victims deserve justice, which is why we’re here for you when no one else will help. If you’ve been involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact a car wreck attorney in Decatur from our firm today so we can review your claim free of charge.
We offer a free initial consultation, reach out to us now!
