Involved In An Auto Accident? How To Deal With An Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorist

Being involved in an auto accident can be traumatic. Dealing with possible injuries, auto repairs, and insurance claims can seem overwhelming. If any of the other parties involved, especially if they are at fault, are uninsured or underinsured, the situation worsens. Here things you need to address if you've been involved in an auto accident to make certain you do not get stuck with the bill if the guilty parties don't have sufficient insurance.

Secure Detailed Information

Since there can be complications if you're involved in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist you need to immediately request insurance information at the scene of the accident. Take down all the information in detail. Be certain to write down accurate contact numbers for the insurance company, the list of all insured drivers on the card, and as much information as you can get about the driver.

Insurance vs. Financial Responsibility

Not all states require actual insurance, but all 50 US states mandate drivers acquire some type of financial responsibility to legally operate an automobile. This is where problems frequently arise when you are involved in an accident with someone who has only the baseline coverage. Customarily these types of policies only pay for specific injuries with limitations on how much property damage is covered.

Damages can easily exceed these amounts and that is where the headaches can begin to mount. When your medical expenses, plus the cost to repair or replace your car exceeds the established limits of an insurance policy, or financial responsibility, you may be left paying these out of your own pocket.

Uninsured – Underinsured Motorist Claim

When it is determined that any of the other drivers involved in your accident are uninsured, or may be underinsured to meet your claim for damages, you need to have a claim filed with your insurance agent.

Sometimes the simple act of reporting the accident to a competent insurance agent will start the process, but you should not take that for granted. Hiring counsel immediately or as soon as possible after the accident, will guarantee these issues are handled within the legal timetable required.

Deadlines

Deadlines to file a basic claim can be as short as 30 days. Timely requirements for filing additional documentation for compensation can also differ from state to state. The circumstances of your accident are important, but consulting with an accident attorney within 48 hours is strongly suggested, because if any of the statutes of limitations for filing an insurance claim are not met, you will be left without recourse.

Understanding all the legal stipulations within an insurance claim can be like trying to read sand script, therefore having the expertise of counsel that specializes in auto accidents and personal injury is essential. If you have been in an auto accident and the other person is either uninsured, or potentially underinsured, you need to immediately seek the advice of an accident and personal injury attorney like https://grdlaw.com/.


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