How To Handle An Uninsured Motorist Accident
Being in an auto or motorcycle accident is stressful enough. Add to that stress the added burden of the at-fault motorist not having insurance and you have many things to be concerned about. The good news is that you still have options for recovering injury costs and other damages. In cases like yours, it is helpful to seek out the advice of a personal injury and auto accident attorney who knows the laws governing auto accidents, particularly those involving uninsured motorists.
There are steps you should follow, if an uninsured motorist causes an accident in which you are injured. These steps include:
Get the Help and Guidance of a Personal Injury Attorney
For any auto or motorcycle accident with injuries, your personal injury lawyer is your biggest advocate in getting through insurance claims processes. Your attorney will comb through your insurance policy to see if you have protections for uninsured motorist accidents. The policy may specify particular requirements in regard to dispute resolution that you must follow. So your lawyer will ensure you comply with these rules, as he or she represents you in your case.
You should first seek the help and guidance of a personal injury lawyer after an auto accident, even before you call your insurance company. The lawyer starts at the very beginning of the case to protect your rights and ensure you are paid as much as possible, as soon as possible.
Your personal injury lawyer will also watch over the insurance company, ensuring they are doing what they are supposed to for your uninsured motorist accident claim. In essence, the lawyer will handle your case from beginning to end, meeting every court obligation and ensuring all processes are followed. Your attorney will work hard to gain the settlement you deserve, or a positive trial award if the case must go to court.
Look in Your Policy for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
When your attorney reviews your insurance policy, he or she can help you understand it and whether there is uninsured motorist coverage. Having this coverage is always a good decision because it will provide compensation you need for medical bills and other damages, if the at-fault driver has no insurance. Even though the laws require every driver to be insured, this coverage gives you financial support according to policy limits if the other driver neglects to follow the law.
Underinsured coverage is similar to uninsured motorist policy inclusions. Underinsured coverage helps you gain the compensation you need through your own policy, when the other driver does not have enough benefits to pay for all of injury costs and other damages.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
Your attorney will help you understand when you need to talk to your insurance company, particularly when it comes to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage use. There may be time restrictions on making this type of claim. This makes it very important that you have an attorney quickly and communicate with the insurance company as soon as possible, according to your attorney’s advice.
Find Out If You Carry Personal Protection Coverage
You may also have personal protection coverage as part of your insurance policy. This coverage is only available in certain states. But having personal protection coverage helps you collect monies for medical expenses and lost income immediately, even when you were the at-fault driver. This policy coverage does not pay for property damage, however.
Acquiring Evidence and Documenting Damages
It is important to call police when you are in an accident. Police officers at the scene will file a police report, a highly valuable document when it comes to providing evidence for your accident. You will also need to document everything about your case, taking photos at the scene, gathering witness information and keeping all medical records and receipts. There are many things you will need to gather and keep for your case and your attorney will provide these details.
Consider Third Parties Who May Have Fault in Your Accident
Your accident may have happened because of a mechanical flaw, faulty auto parts, shoddy mechanic work or other issues due to a third party. Your accident attorney can investigate your accident to determine whether this may be the case. If there are third parties at fault, you can pursue damages through those parties’ liability.
Follow Your Attorney’s Advice for Your Uninsured Motorist Case
The stress of an auto accident can be immense. So when you are working on a personal injury and auto accident claim, it is critical that you follow your attorney’s advice. This will ensure you have the least stress on your shoulders possible, as well as ensuring you do not make things harder for yourself and your attorney. Only communicate with other parties as your attorney advises to avoid putting your case outcome in jeopardy.
In Arizona, call the auto accident and personal injury lawyers of Cantor Crane for a free, no-obligation case consultation.
