Uninsured/Underinsured
Dealing with uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in the event of a car accident can be complicated, but there are ways to navigate the situation, including stacking coverage or seeking legal assistance.
Understanding UM/UIM Coverage
- Uninsured Motorist (UM): Covers you if you’re in an accident caused by a driver without insurance.
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM): Steps in when the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are too low to cover your damages.
This type of coverage is essential because not every driver has sufficient insurance, and medical bills or vehicle repairs can exceed basic liability coverage.
Finding or Stacking Coverage
Some states allow “stacking” of UM/UIM coverage. This means you can combine coverage from multiple policies (such as multiple vehicles on your policy) to increase the total available payout. Here’s how:
- Intra-policy stacking: Stacking coverage within the same policy. For example, if you have two cars with $50,000 UM coverage each, stacking may allow you to claim $100,000 in total.
- Inter-policy stacking: Stacking across multiple policies, like if you have a personal policy and a business policy with UM/UIM coverage.
Check if your state permits stacking and ensure your policy allows it.
Opting for Higher UM/UIM Coverage Limits
If possible, increase your UM/UIM limits when purchasing or renewing insurance. It’s generally inexpensive compared to the potential benefits.
Review your current auto insurance and consider adding UM/UIM coverage if you don’t already have it.
Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP):
- MedPay: Optional coverage that helps pay medical bills regardless of who’s at fault. It can bridge the gap when you’re dealing with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- PIP: Similar to MedPay but broader, covering lost wages and other expenses related to injuries.
Health Insurance as Secondary Coverage
Health insurance can serve as a secondary resource for paying medical bills after an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
Tips for Handling an Uninsured/Underinsured Accident
- Document Everything: Get a police report, take photos, and gather witness statements, especially in uninsured motorist cases. Lack of documentation may make it difficult to recover damages.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: File a claim with your insurance as soon as possible, providing all the details of the accident.
- Understand the Statute of Limitations: Know your state’s timeline for filing UM/UIM claims. Missing the deadline can prevent you from recovering damages.
How an Attorney Can Help
An attorney can provide crucial assistance in several ways, especially when navigating insurance claims:
- Evaluate Your Coverage: Attorneys can review your insurance policy to identify all possible sources of coverage, including stacking options you may not be aware of.
- Handle Negotiations: Insurance companies might try to minimize payouts for UM/UIM claims. Attorneys can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- File a Lawsuit: If the insurance company refuses to pay or offers an inadequate settlement, an attorney can file a lawsuit and represent your interests in court.
- Pursue Additional Compensation: If the at-fault driver has minimal assets, an attorney may still be able to find other avenues to pursue compensation (e.g., through personal assets of the driver or umbrella policies).
- No Recovery, No Fee: Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay them if they recover compensation for you. This makes legal help more accessible, even if you’re facing financial hardship after an accident.
Get Legal Help Today
Car accident recovery should be your priority, not legal worries. Meinhart & Manning’s personal injury attorneys can help you with your case. Call (877) 776-1219 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation today, and let us handle the rest.