How To Deal With Uninsured And Underinsured Accident Claims
One of the most frequently overlooked aspects of car accident litigation is the availability of coverage. However in many ways, it is perhaps the most important factor. Even if your injuries are clear and the other driver’s fault is beyond question, if that driver has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your losses, you may have difficulty getting fair compensation. Many drivers in Tennessee purchase uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage to protect themselves if they are involved in a car or pedestrian accident. However collecting these benefits is often not a simple task.
Fortunately, our attorneys at the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC can work with your insurance company to get you the UM/UIM benefits you deserve. Our reputation throughout the Clarksville area as aggressive and effective litigators allows us to facilitate favorable settlements and gain favorable awards for our clients through arbitration and, if necessary, litigation.
What is UM/UIM coverage?
UM/UIM is an additional type of insurance coverage you purchase from your insurance company. Unlike the required liability coverage, which protects you from being sued if you cause an accident, UM/UIM protects you if you are injured in an accident and the at-fault party cannot compensate you. Under this type of coverage, your own insurance company steps in to make up the difference, paying you the compensation when the at-fault driver’s insurance was insufficient or nonexistent. You may be surprised to learn that the UM or UIM coverage you purchase may even protect you in auto collisions not involving your insured vehicle. UM and UIM can cover you if you are injured as a pedestrian or while riding in a friend’s car.
How are UM/UIM claims different?
The primary difference between a typical lawsuit and a UM/UIM claim is that, because UM/UIM liability is based on a contractual obligation; disputes are, at least initially, resolved through arbitration rather than in court. Because your insurer essentially stands in the shoes of the at-fault driver, the available damages are the same as in a typical car accident lawsuit:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future loss of life’s pleasures
Because you are dealing with your own insurance company, it is all too easy to let your guard down. However make no mistake, in a UM/UIM situation, your insurance company is the adversary and you should treat its representatives in the same manner you would treat the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This means not giving a statement until you have consulted one of the experienced car wreck attorneys at the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC.
Contact us today for help dealing with your own insurance company
After more than 27 years of dealing with insurance companies on behalf of injured people in Tennessee, our attorneys at the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC enjoy a strong reputation in the insurance defense community. This enables us to get results for our clients, often without the necessity of protracted litigation. If you or someone you love was injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may have additional legal rights. Call us today at 931-444-5620 or contact us online for a free case evaluation to learn what additional coverage may be available.
