The Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist
Accidents can happen to even the safest of drivers. However, in each car accident someone is negligent, or liable. It is for this reason that the Illinois mandatory insurance law is in place. If you are liable, the costs associated with an accident do not have to lead to deep financial loss.
Unfortunately, some drivers subvert or ignore the law. These drivers are called uninsured motorists.
If you or a loved one is involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, that driver will have no insurance to help you recoup your financial losses.
It is also possible that a driver is underinsured, which means that the level of coverage they have purchased will not provide for the level of financial damages you’ve suffered.
Your own policy may carry what is called PIP, or Personal Injury Protection. Personal Injury Protection pays for your medical expenses as the result of a vehicular accident. Unfortunately, this amount may not cover all expenses associated with your accident, especially if the other party was under- or uninsured.
In this case you should file an uninsured motorist claim. Illinois mandatory insurance law demands that all auto insurance policies – your own included – automatically include uninsured motorist coverage at the same levels as the minimal liability coverage required by the law (at the amounts mentioned earlier in this article).
In the event of your car accident with an uninsured motorist, it is up to you to make certain to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company.
This can be a complicated, paper-intensive process. A Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you file an uninsured motorist claim under these circumstances.
When to Hire a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer
At this point, the relationship between you and your insurance company may become adversarial in nature. You want to recoup for all your losses, and your insurance company will try to find that they are responsible for the least amount possible.
If you find yourself or a loved one in such a situation, you should contact a Chicago personal injury lawyer to protect your legal rights.
A Chicago personal injury lawyer can set up an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company. This claim would require your insurance company to cover all costs the uninsured liable party should have paid for your injuries and damages suffered.
If a settlement cannot be reached it is possible that your case may need to go to trial.
The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases involving traffic accidents and know the best ways to recoup for your losses. For a free case evaluation and help preparing your uninsured motorist claim contact us today – 312-263-1080.
