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After a collision with an uninsured motorist, your situation may seem dire, but know that you have options. You may have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of your policy, which can even cover hit-and-run accidents in some situations. You may also have other legal strategies available, including filing a claim against a third party or filing a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver.
No matter your options, uninsured motorist attorney Ali Awad will help you navigate them. His legal skill and business acumen have enabled him to build a firm that has earned eight figures in just a few short years. With attention to detail and focus on what matters most, CEO Lawyer Ali Awad and his firm will do whatever it takes to help you recover financially and medically in the wake of your accident.
Contact the injury and accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today by calling (833) 254-2923 to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. You can learn about the forms of compensation available and how an uninsured motorist accident lawyer can help you pursue them using every advantage of the law.
Hire an Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Lawyer to Seek the Cash You Need
Getting in a car accident is devastating enough on its own. Things can become much worse when the driver who hits you utters four of the scariest words possible: “I don’t have insurance.”
These words may throw ice water on an already frosty situation, but remember that there may still be hope. Attorney Ali Awad, the CEO Lawyer, and his team of experienced professionals can represent you on your case and help you seek the maximum amount of compensation available from all liable parties. We can help you file a claim under your own uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy, and we can also determine if you have other legal routes available.
No matter your situation, you can benefit from the knowledge and guidance you will receive during a free, confidential, and no-risk case review. Speak with one of our experienced uninsured motorist accident attorneys to determine the best way forward for seeking the money you need to heal, recover, and move on past your accident.
With an Epidemic of Uninsured Drivers in the U.S., You Need an Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney
Every state in the Union requires some form of insurance, or at very least proof of financial responsibility. Yet, every year, millions of vehicle owners and drivers choose to take the risk of driving without liability insurance coverage. Their reckless decision not only puts them at risk of a lawsuit, but it also puts anyone they might hurt at risk, as well. Without the insurance needed to pay for the accident damages they caused, irresponsible drivers can leave injury victims unable to pay for their medical bills and other losses.
12.6% of motorists were uninsured in 2019, according to a 2021 Insurance Research Council (IRC) study. That’s one in eight drivers! Certain states ranked even worse than the average, including Mississippi (29.4% of drivers uninsured), Michigan (25.5%), and Tennessee (23.7%).
Liability coverage for bodily injury is required in most states, even those that have a “no-fault” form of self-insurance. For example, in the state of Georgia, drivers are expected to carry the following, at a minimum:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage per person injured
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage per-accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage per-accident
Yet, 12.4% of Georgia’s drivers choose to drive uninsured. If you are hurt in an accident with these individuals, you could face serious financial consequences — unless you seek help. Hire an uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyer to learn about your options and pursue the maximum amount of compensation available.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when you are hurt in an accident by a driver who does not have any form of liability insurance available. In these situations, your UM policy will provide the stated amount of coverage to pay for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other damages.
A UM policy typically provides coverage through a similar formulation to liability insurance. You will get a set amount of coverage per person but also a limit on the total claimable damages per wreck if you happen to have injured passengers.
Worth noting: You can still have access to UM benefits if you are hit by an uninsured motorist, even if you were walking as a pedestrian or riding a bicycle at the time of the accident.
Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Apply to a Hit and Run?
In most situations, yes, your UM policy should provide coverage in the event of a hit and run. However, there are some policy-specific exceptions. Certain states may also have rules or limitations to UM coverage for hit and run accidents. California, for example, does not allow you to file a UM claim if the driver remains unidentified.
How Does Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage Work?
UIM works similarly to uninsured motorist coverage, but it only applies in the event that the at-fault driver does have insurance, but your damages exceed their coverage.
There are two main types of UIM policy, known commonly as “non-stacking” and “stacking” coverage.
Non-Stacking UIM Coverage
Most UIM policies operate under a “traditional” coverage model, which is reduced by the amount of first-payer coverage available from the at-fault driver. This type of scheme is also called “reduction” or “offset” coverage because it is affected by how much coverage is otherwise available.
For example, if you have a $50,000 UIM policy and the driver only has $25,000 in BIL/PDL coverage, then you have a maximum of $25,000 available in claimable benefits. However, if the at-fault driver had $50,000 in coverage, then your UIM policy benefits would be completely unavailable to you, even if you had unpaid damages.
Stacking UIM Coverage
Often referred to as an “excess” liability policy or an “add-on,” this form of coverage is available so long as you have already completely exhausted other available forms of liability insurance and still have unpaid costs. In this case, if you had $50,000 in UIM benefits and the at-fault driver had a $50,000 BIL policy, then you have a maximum of $100,000 in claimable benefits for your damages.
Does UM/UIM Coverage Apply in a No-Fault State?
“No-fault” states like Florida, New York, and New Jersey require you to take out a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy to cover your damages following a wreck. The benefit of this system is that you don’t have to prove another driver was negligent, nor do you automatically need to deal with someone else’s liability insurance provider in the event of a collision. Instead, you can file for benefits under your PIP policy to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
However, your injuries may exceed the benefits available under PIP in these states. When this occurs, you may be eligible to still file a claim on the liability insurance policy of any driver (or other third-party) who could be deemed negligent. In the event the driver does not have liability insurance or does not have enough insurance, then your UM/UIM coverage would apply as normal.
What If I Don’t Have Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Twenty-two states require some form of UM or UIM policy, yet millions of drivers may not have this coverage available in the event of an accident. Should you not have a UM/UIM policy available, don’t panic. You may still have options you can review with the assistance of an uninsured motorist lawyer.
Common options sought in addition to UM/UIM coverage include:
- Using any Medical Payments (MedPay) self-insurance coverage available
- Identifying an involved third-party with liability coverage available, such as another driver or a defective vehicle manufacturer
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver
- Using the full extent of any available and applicable liability policies or excess “umbrella’ coverage
Every car accident situation involving an uninsured motorist is unique, so be sure to speak with an experienced uninsured motorist accident attorney to uncover your options and decide upon the best path for recovering all of your damages.
Steps to Take After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
- Remain Calm. Don’t let panic, anger, or other strong emotions dictate your actions. Also, don’t apologize or admit fault. Focus on taking the next steps.
- Call the Police. Always report your accident to the police, even a minor one. Request a respondent to come to gather a report and take the information. Also, request an ambulance for anyone hurt.
- Get Contact Info. Even if the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance, you still may need to follow up and request further information. Get their contact phone number, home number, address, and place of business.
- Gather info. While you’re still at the scene of the accident, try to take photos and video. Capture the accident scene, wreckage, and your injuries. Also, request a statement from any witnesses, and get their contact info.
- See a doctor ASAP. Always seek out medical help and a diagnosis. Even if you don’t feel hurt, you may have hidden injuries. If you are hurt, you want to start treatment immediately.
- Call a lawyer. Don’t trust the other driver or any insurance companies to make things right. Get your own legal representative who can determine fault, value your damages, and help you seek all compensation available.
Get Help From an Experienced Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney
When you have been hurt and aren’t sure where to turn after an accident, turn to us. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm has the drive, persistence, and track record of success you need to get back on the path to normal.
Our services are provided at no up-front cost to you, and you only pay if you receive a settlement or court award. Find out why thousands entrust the CEO Lawyer to seek out the compensation they need to move on with their life. Schedule your free, no-risk case review when you contact us online or call (833) 254-2923 today.