Although important, a common element that is rarely mentioned in a car accident is the availability of coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you and your family, as well as third parties (pedestrians and residents), in case of potential legal action. This refers to the situation where the person responsible for the accident isn’t insured or has insufficient coverage for the damages.
This solution benefits the victims of car accidents. Conversely, making the UM and UIM claims isn’t a simple job. Along with determining liability in a car accident, you will need the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney when it comes to UM and UIM claims as well.
What Is Uninsured (UM) and Underinsured (UIM) Coverage?
Some motorists may lack insurance due to failure, unaffordability, or insufficient insurance. UM/UIM is an extra insurance policy provided by your insurance company. There is a fine line that divides these two terms.
Uninsured Coverage (UM): This coverage includes compensation for bodily injuries for the victim if the at-fault party doesn’t have any insurance.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): Uninsured driver coverage offers compensation if the at-fault party doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover the victim’s losses and damages.
To get through the complications involved, it is recommended to hire a car accident lawyer with experience and familiarity with the local statutes.
How Do UM/UIM Claims Work?
Most people go through extreme shock, panic, and anxiety when they are involved in a car accident. The injuries the negligent driver has caused add another level of misery. It’s your right to file a car accident claim for the damages sustained to recover fair compensation. Here’s what you can recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
After an accident, it is important to go through your health coverage policy. Turn to a car accident attorney who may help you understand everything involved with a compensation claim and the challenges involved.
To lodge a claim regarding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you will have to prepare adequate evidence to prove the severity of the damages. The evidence required is listed below.
- Medical reports
- Prescriptions
- Police accident reports
- Photos/videos of the damaged car and your injuries
- Proof of hospital visits
These details prove that you were the victim of an accident and that you suffered actual damages.
Once proven, the at-fault party will be asked to compensate for the damages. If the at-fault party doesn’t have sufficient insurance, the victim might lodge an appeal with their insurance for it to reimburse the remaining amount.
It is important for car accident victims to seek the services of an experienced car accident lawyer. Here are some ways they can help:
- An insurance policy agreement is fraught with legalese. It is extremely difficult for the average person to understand what each term means. This makes them vulnerable to the tricks of the insurance company. A car accident lawyer is the perfect counter to this. They understand all the legal terms involved and will explain everything in layman’s terms.
- You’ll need evidence to prove your claim. Without sufficient evidence, the chances of your claim failing are high. A lawyer will help victims gather evidence and present it in the best possible way.
- UM and UIM claims involve a lot of paperwork. An experienced car accident lawyer will go through all the paperwork for you, eliminating the chances of errors.
Final Thoughts
A car accident compensation claim involves different complexities. UM and UIM simply add a different layer of challenges over the existing ones. It is very difficult for car accident victims to handle a compensation claim while still tending to their injuries.
This is why it is important to hire a car accident lawyer. They take care of everything related to car accidents and make sure that you receive fair compensation.