According to a 2017 study, over 13% of drivers nationwide are uninsured; meaning approximately one out of every eight drivers lacks basic car insurance. If you have been involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you may be concerned about how you are going to recover compensation for your injuries. Even if the other driver does have insurance, the policy limits may not cover the full extent of your injuries and property damage.
If you or your loved one has been involved in a car accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver it is important to contact an attorney who can help you through the aftermath. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, one of our personal injury attorneys can review your case and act quickly to help fight for your right to compensation. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
Understanding Accidents Involving Uninsured And Underinsured DriversDealing with the aftermath of a car accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver can be confusing and complicated. Under North Carolina law, every driver must carry a minimum amount of car insurance. Unfortunately, some drivers break the law and drive without any car insurance, or their car insurance policy does not meet the mandatory limits set by North Carolina law. In other cases, the minimum required car insurance amount is not enough to cover all of your damages.
If an uninsured driver has injured you, your first option is to identify any at-fault driver who may have enough car insurance to cover your medical expenses. For example, if the person who caused your car accident was working at the time, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the employer. The employer may have enough commercial car insurance to cover the cost of your injuries. When there is more than one at-fault driver, you may be able to file a successful insurance claim through one of the at-fault drivers’ insurance companies.
Submitting A Claim Through Your Uninsured Motorist PolicyIn some cases, your only option for seeking compensation is to file a claim through your own insurance company. Many North Carolina residents have uninsured motorist coverage through their own car insurance provider. Most car insurance companies offer customers addendums that protect them if they become injured in an uninsured or underinsured motorist collision. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, you may be able to pursue a claim with your own insurance company.
It is important to remember that insurance companies are for-profit businesses that may put their bottom line above the need to provide fair coverage for injured individuals. Many assume that their own insurance company will always provide coverage in the event of an accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies may try to argue that the uninsured or underinsured driver was not the at-fault driver, allowing them to deny your claim outright. The insurance company may also try to deny that the car accident caused your injuries, or that you had a pre-existing condition that is the cause of your injuries.
The Benefits of Hiring A Car Accident LawyerHiring an attorney to represent you after a car accident is one of the best things you can do to preserve your right to compensation. When you hire an attorney, they can help craft a statement to give to the insurance company and assist in the negotiation process. In most cases, insurance companies will initially try and settle for a small amount, and an attorney can help you try and negotiate for more. If you are unable to get enough from the settlement with the insurance company to cover your damages, an attorney can help you file a lawsuit to try recover the rest of your damages from the other driver.
Contact Us TodayA car accident can be a traumatic experience, especially when injuries are involved. When the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, it can add to the stress and frustration of the accident. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we understand how complex the insurance claims process can be and how important it is to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. Not only can we help you through the insurance claims process, but we can help you litigate any potential personal injury claims you may want to bring against the other driver.
Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn how we can advocate for you. For your convenience and safety, we offer video and phone conferencing. If you prefer an in-person consultation, we have three easy to reach offices in Uptown Charlotte, Monroe and Mooresville.