Car Accidents With Uninsured And Underinsured Motorists Article

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Car Accidents with Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

Author: Sara Goldstein

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Most states require you to carry a certain level of car insurance, but the reality is that many motorists ignore this rule, either carrying inadequate coverage or none at all. These uninsured or underinsured motorists can make life difficult for other drivers who get into a car accident with them, since they have no ability to cover your damages or injuries.

To protect yourself from this kind of predicament, you can purchase uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage. This will most likely increase your car insurance premium, but it can be incredibly valuable if you are ever involved in a car accident with a person who cannot pay for your losses.

Minimum Liability Coverage in the Washington Metro Area
Every state has regulations governing the minimum amount of liability coverage a driver must purchase. For example, in the Washington Metro area, you must carry insurance that covers:

• $50,000 per accident; $25,000 per person; $10,000 for property damage (Washington D.C.)
• $50,000 per accident, $25,000 per person, $20,000 for property damage (Virginia)
• $40,000 per accident, $20,000 per person, $10,000 for property damage (Maryland)

If these amounts are surpassed, you will be glad you paid extra money for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. However, even if you do carry this type of coverage, the insurance company may still refuse to pay you based on questions about who was at fault for the accident.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help
When problems like these arise, it is critical to speak with an attorney who is experienced with UM/UIM accidents. The process can become quite complex, and it is always best to have an advocate on your side who understands the legal technicalities involved in your specific case.

For example, if you are involved in a Maryland car accident with an underinsured driver, they may only be able to cover $20,000 of your damages when the minimum liability coverage was $40,000. In this case, you will need to file a claim with the insurance company to make up the difference between the other driver’s insurance limitations, and your own coverage limitations.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance covers expense related to:
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Property damage

Unfortunately, collecting these benefits is not always easy. A simple procedural error can cause you to forfeit your compensation, and in most cases, the other driver’s insurance company will have already offered you a settlement. Before you consider any settlement, you should speak with a good attorney who has your best interests at heart and can negotiate for the compensation you deserve.
If you live in Maryland or Virginia and would like more information about car accidents, please visit the website of the experienced Virginia car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.

About Author

Chaikin & Sherman, P.C. focuses on seeking compensation for victims who have suffered serious personal injury or death resulting from negligence, medical malpractice, motor vehicle collisions, tractor trailer accidents, or defective products. Whatever the injury may be, we seek to obtain maximum compensation for our clients, including compensation for the emotional pain and suffering that accompanies serious injury. We also handle class action lawsuits and consumer fraud litigation. The law firm enjoys the highest rating (AV) from the Martindale-Hubbell organization. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Contact us today for more information and to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our lawyers.

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Car Accidents with Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists