What is uninsured motorist coverage? This is a type of car insurance policy that covers your losses if the at-fault driver causing damage to you does not have insurance or flees the scene of the accident without stopping. Drivers in South Carolina must maintain liability insurance to protect other drivers from the financial losses incurred in an accident they cause, but drivers must also maintain uninsured motorist coverage.
If you have been hit by an uninsured motorist, a North Charleston car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation.
When Uninsured Motorist Coverage Applies
Uninsured motorist coverage is a valuable asset since, according to information from the Insurance Information Institute’s Facts & Statistics: Uninsured Motorists, about 13% of drivers across the country lack the legally required liability insurance, putting them at risk.
This coverage is a policy you purchase to cover yourself. It can provide a range of benefits to you in car accidents, such as:
- Covers your property damage and injuries if the other driver does not have insurance.
- Provides financial compensation for your passengers’ medical bills if the other driver lacks insurance.
- Covers your losses in situations where the other driver flees the accident, such as a hit-and-run.
- May provide coverage if your vehicle has a lower value due to the accident.
In situations where uninsured motorist coverage applies, drivers fill out an accident report with their own insurance company requesting payment for losses. All of the same processes after this apply. That means you still must prove your losses are the result of the accident and accurately detail the value.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Differs from Collision Insurance
Collision insurance is a car insurance policy you purchase to cover your vehicle for situations where you cause an accident that creates damage to your vehicle. Uninsured motorist insurance differs from this because another person, without insurance, causes the accident. Both policies can be valuable investments.
What to do After an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist
In situations where you suffer injuries and other losses due to a driver who does not have insurance, your priority should include getting medical care and reporting the accident to the police. From there, contact your insurance company to alert them of the accident. Then, call your lawyer for immediate help.
- The police will investigate and determine fault in most situations.
- The insurance company may investigate.
- Get all of the medical care you need, follow up with your doctor, and maintain communication with your attorney.
- Do not file a claim to settle the claim with your insurance company. Your car accident attorney will navigate this process with you, minimizing the risk that you do not receive coverage for all of your losses.
- In situations where your losses may be higher than your coverage allowance, speak to us about filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Our North Charleston personal injury lawyer works to maximize the compensation you receive by documenting every way in which this accident caused you pain. We zero in on any details of your uninsured motorist coverage to be sure you know what your rights are. Seek out the legal guidance you need from the start to minimize the risk of insurance denying your claims.
How Much Uninsured Motorist Coverage is Right for You: Calculating Value
In South Carolina, drivers must maintain uninsured motorist coverage under the state’s Auto Insurance Code for Automobile Insurance.
To meet the law’s expectations, all drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in coverage as a minimum for personal injuries and $25,000 minimum in property damage. This is the minimum, but most people benefit from having more insurance than this.
Suing an Uninsured Driver is an Option in Some Cases
It may seem that, instead of paying for their own insurance policy, victims can seek out legal action against those who cause them injury in the form of a lawsuit. Typically, you can file a claim against the uninsured driver, but doing so does not provide you with the financial protection you need in many situations. Initially, we must determine if:
- The other driver is known (in a hit and run that is not the case)
- The other driver must have assets to claim
If the driver does not have liability insurance, they may not have significant assets to cover all of your losses, including enough to cover lost income, medical bills, and repairs to your vehicle. That is why having uninsured motorist insurance is important. It protects you when other people fail to meet the law.
Maximizing Your Uninsured Motorist Accident Claim
Work with your South Carolina uninsured motorist accident attorney to pursue full compensation under your policy. If you have just the legally required amount or more, you still must prove the value owed to you. For example, consider the following ways your attorney may help you maximize your claim.
Insurance companies, even ones that represent you, may decide to limit the amount of coverage you receive, perhaps even blaming you for the accident. Other times, insurance companies can be very aggressive about the amount of compensation needed or available for various elements of your losses, such as lost income and ongoing pain claims. Your attorney will guide you in knowing your rights and maximizing your claim.
Our attorney provides you with guidance to navigate your legal options should filing a claim not be enough. Allow us to advise you on the benefits of filing a claim, seeking legal action in court, or utilizing other insurance coverage, such as third parties who may be to blame, to cover your losses further. Our robust legal representation works to protect you from any situation that arises during this process, so be sure to read through our frequently asked questions section to learn more.
Seek Out a Free Consultation with an Attorney After Your Accident
Understanding what uninsured motorist coverage is means you know when this policy applies to help you out of financial struggles when another person fails to provide coverage to you.
Meet with our uninsured motorist accident attorney if you were hurt in such an accident to pursue full compensation for your losses. Call Shelly Leeke Law Firm now to discuss your case during a free consultation.
