In order to protect themselves and others financially in the event of an accident, all vehicle owners are required by Tennessee law to carry liability car insurance. If you have been involved in an accident and believe the at-fault driver does not have the right coverage to take care of your losses, a Chattanooga under-insured motorist lawyer can help.
Car accidents have the potential to result in severe injuries and financial losses. If the driver that caused your accident does not have adequate insurance coverage, you could be left with unexpected bills and expenses.
Fortunately, the CEO Lawyer, Ali Awad, and his team are well-versed in Tennessee accident laws and insurance requirements. With the know-how and the drive to get it done, The CEO Lawyer and his team will strive to earn you the compensation you need to recover after your serious accident.
If you are looking to recover as fully as possible from your accident, consider scheduling a free, no-obligation case evaluation with the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today. We will review your situation and help you determine how most effectively to proceed to get your life back in order as quickly as possible.
Get Help From a Chattanooga Under-Insured Motorist Attorney
When a driver causes an accident and does not have adequate coverage to compensate you for your losses, Ali Awad steps in. Our law firm has extensive experience representing car accident victims in all types of situations, including ones where the needed insurance coverage seemingly isn’t there.
With over 20 years of combined legal experience, we’re ready to guide you through your claim and fight for the outcome you deserve. You may be worried about potential legal fees and unmanageable bills.
However, you can move forward with your claim confidently, knowing that all of our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. That means that we won’t get paid unless we win your case.
If we are able to produce successful results, our compensation will come directly from your settlement, so you will never have to worry about paying out of pocket for our services.
It is also essential to know that we are here for you outside of our legal services. We can come to you if you have serious injuries that prevent you from getting to our office.
We can also set up transportation to doctor’s appointments or help you find a rental car or mechanic to ensure you have a way to get where you need to go.
You Have Options After an Accident With an Under-Insured Driver
When the person who hit you doesn’t have insurance, you may think all hope is lost. This is not the case!
You have many options available for seeking compensation from appropriate parties. These may include:
- Any under-insured/uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage you have
- Identifying a liable third party, such as another driver, a vehicle manufacturer, or a negligent property owner
- Any MedPay or collision coverage you have
- Filing a lawsuit directly against the driver and other liable parties
Why Work With the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm?
After a car accident, you should have the opportunity to focus on your health and recover from your injuries. Filing an injury claim can make recovery seem like even more of a challenge.
However, when you work with an attorney, they can take that burden off of your shoulders and guide you through the process.
When you seek legal advice or representation from a Chattanooga under-insured motorist lawyer, you can rest assured that your claim will be handled with the utmost care. To start, we will work to collect substantial evidence that proves you were wronged by the opposing driver. Once we can prove negligence, we can move forward with valuing your claim.
Every under-insured motorist claim has its own circumstances. Many factors affect compensation, including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional anguish.
We will take all of your losses into consideration to ensure you understand what your claim is worth so you don’t settle for less.
We will also be sure to manage all of the paperwork and deadlines on your behalf. Navigating the insurance claims process can be tricky.
Fortunately, we are well-versed in car accident laws and insurance coverages. You won’t have to worry about missing dates or saying something to an insurance adjuster that could jeopardize your claim. Our car accident lawyers are prepared to fight for you after an under-insured or uninsured motorist accident.
When it comes time for negotiations, we will stand up for what your claim is worth. Insurance companies often lowball offers in an attempt to protect their bottom lines.
We won’t let that happen to you. If settling for a reasonable amount is not a possibility, we can advise you on your other legal options and what would happen if you were to file a lawsuit.
Understanding Car Insurance Requirements in Tennessee
Insurance laws are established at the state level. For those who live in Tennessee, there are specific requirements that must be met in order to get behind the wheel legally.
When someone does not have adequate insurance after a crash, the consequences can be severe – especially for the injured party.
Minimum Required Insurance Limits in Chattanooga
There are two types of required coverage in Tennessee: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Drivers are required to purchase at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, which covers expenses related to injury or death after a crash.
There is a $15,000 requirement for property damage liability, which covers costs associated with a property like vehicles, homes, and other structures.
Options Types of Auto Coverage
Sometimes, even the required coverages are not enough. Many proactive drivers choose to elect optional coverage.
Coverage available but not required in Tennessee includes:
- Uninsured Motorist — If the at-fault driver does not have any car insurance, uninsured motorist coverage may cover medical expenses.
- Underinsured Motorist — When the at-fault driver does not have enough coverage to manage expenses, underinsured motorist coverage can help.
- Medical Payments — If the medical bills exceed what the at-fault party’s insurance covers, medical payments coverage can often cover what remains.
- Collision — Collision coverage is used to repair or replace a damaged vehicle owned by the policyholder, especially in the absence of other coverage.
- Comprehensive — Comprehensive coverage is used to repair or replace a vehicle that has been stolen or damaged in an event outside the policyholder’s control, such as vandalism, flooding, fire, falling trees, storm damage, etc.
Consequences for Failing to Obtain Insurance
Tennessee takes car insurance seriously. There are legal consequences for individuals who get caught driving without insurance.
In addition to the risk of having their license and car registration suspended, they can also be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, which comes with a $300 penalty. Repeat offenders face even more significant consequences. Individuals without insurance who cause an accident could face up to 12 months in jail and a fine of $2,500.
How to Protect Your Rights After a Crash With an Under-Insured Driver
Determining your next steps after a car accident can be overwhelming. Before doing anything else, evaluate the situation, check yourself for injuries, and, if possible, check on the other people involved.
The actions you take next will have a direct impact on your claim.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. It is not only crucial to ensure your injuries are diagnosed and treated correctly, but having official documentation of your injuries will make it easier to determine the impact of the accident and what you may be able to seek in terms of compensation.
- Speak with the police once they arrive at the scene. You will want to provide a full report of what you remember, but avoid speculating. Stick to the facts. Your attorney will review the police report to learn more about your accident.
- Collect evidence while you are still at the scene of the crash. If possible, take photographs and videos. Collect contact information from the opposing driver. If there were any witnesses, ask for their information as well. Depending on the complexity of your claim, you may benefit from witness testimony.
- Keep track of your expenses, including hospital bills, lost wages, property damage costs, transportation expenses to and from the doctor, and any other accident-related costs you pay out of pocket. An accurate record of costs will make it easier to determine a fair valuation for the economic portion of your compensation.
- Contact an under-insured motorist attorney once you have sought medical attention and the dust has settled. We understand how challenging the days and weeks after an accident can be. However, the sooner you get in touch with a Chattanooga personal injury lawyer, the more time they will have to evaluate your situation and build a strong claim on your behalf.
Contact a Chattanooga Under-Insured Motorist Law Firm Today
The consequences of a car accident can seem insurmountable. From sky-high hospital bills to lost wages, property damage, future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering, many crash victims feel like there’s no way to get everything in order.
That’s where we come in.
If you are ready to take control of your future and hold the negligent driver accountable for their actions, schedule a free case evaluation with a Chattanooga under-insured motorist lawyer from CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm.
We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help you through every step of your recovery. If you are struggling, we can explain your rights and options so you have the resources needed to make the most informed decisions for your future.
To learn more about filing an under-insured motorist claim, reach out to us today by calling (423) 777-8888 or by using our online contact form. We will evaluate your situation, explain your rights, and, should you choose to pursue a claim with our help, guide you through the process to ensure you have a strong opportunity to receive the compensation you need to heal and get back to what you love doing most.
