What If The Other Driver Was Uninsured?
Sometimes, accidents are caused by drivers who have no insurance or have just the bare minimum coverage the law requires. In these cases, if you are the victim of the accident, you might think you have no recourse. But if you have insurance yourself, you are then able to make a claim under your own policy for a fair settlement.
This is called either an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim (UIM). Because there are significant steps that must first be taken in UIM claims, it is vital that you retain an attorney who is experienced in these types of cases. Failure to follow appropriate procedures in UIM claims can bar your case.
Our attorneys have handled many motor vehicle accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists. They offer free initial consultations to discuss your options. Our law office is in Geneva, and we represent accident victims in Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, DeKalb, and McHenry counties and the surrounding areas.
Do I Need A Lawyer To File An Uninsured Or Underinsured Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?
While you can file a claim on your own, doing so without a lawyer’s advice can be costly. When you file a UM/UIM claim, you become an adverse party to your insurance company. Its goal will be to minimize the amount it pays for medical bills, wage loss, pain, suffering, disability or disfigurement.
If you make a mistake, you could end up giving up your right to file a claim. If you are concerned making your UIM claim will result in increased premiums, don’t be. You have paid premiums for UIM coverage each time you made a payment to your insurance company so that you had this coverage available to you in case you were involved in an accident that was the other driver’s fault where that driver lacked appropriate coverage to pay for the harm he or she caused to you. Your insurer has no basis to increase your rates as the accident was not caused by you.
For More Information About UM/UIM Claims
If you have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact Karayannis Law Offices by calling 630-326-4697 or by sending us an email. Your consultation is free, and there is no obligation.