What is included in uninsured motorist coverage? Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage includes money for the medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, car repair costs, and other losses of a motorist and their passengers.
Following an auto crash, let a car accident lawyer in Lafayette evaluate your auto insurance policy and UM coverage in depth.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Includes Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) Insurance
Among the key things included in uninsured motorist coverage is UMBI insurance, which can be used for the medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering of a motorist and their passengers. To understand how UMBI works, consider an example.
You are involved in a car accident caused by an uninsured motorist and suffer injuries during the incident. In this situation, your UMBI insurance may allow you to receive compensation for your medical costs up to your policy limits. At the same time, you still have the option of filing a lawsuit against the motorist who chose to break the law by driving their car without insurance.
At Galloway Jefcoat Injury Attorneys, we know how to turn wrong into right for auto accident victims. Our legal team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. We can guide you through the process of filing an auto crash claim or lawsuit. On top of that, we can position you to achieve outstanding case results. To learn more, request a free consultation.
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Uninsured Motorist Coverage Includes Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) Insurance
In addition to UMBI, UMPD may be included in your uninsured motorist coverage. This gives you money to use to repair your car if it’s damaged in an auto accident. It may also cover the costs to replace your car if it’s totaled.
Based on Louisiana’s auto insurance requirements, you are not legally obligated to buy UMPD. If you have this coverage, you may be protected financially for your car repair or replacement costs after your car crash, regardless of who’s liable. Alternatively, if you don’t have UMPD and another motorist is at fault for your car crash, you may seek compensation from them.
It may be beneficial to talk to a car accident lawyer before the insurance company for the other motorist involved in your auto collision. Your attorney may negotiate a settlement with an at-fault party’s insurer on your behalf. This settlement may include money for your car repair or replacement costs. Or, they may advise you to sue this motorist for compensatory damages.
UM Coverage Can Include Lost Income
As you look at what’s included in UM coverage, account for the income that you may lose if you can’t work due to your auto accident injuries. Your coverage may allow you to get money from your insurer for your current and future income losses. However, this compensation may not be enough to cover your loss of income if you’re dealing with a catastrophic injury.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and other severe injuries can keep car crash victims from returning to work. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury in an auto crash and have UM coverage, your insurer may cover some of your lost wages. To secure fair compensation for your income losses, you may want to file a lawsuit against any liable parties.
Speak with a car accident attorney about your lost income and other losses that you’ve incurred due to your auto collision. Your lawyer can provide insights into how an accident reconstruction may help your case and other legal topics. They can submit your lawsuit in alignment with Louisiana law. Next, they can help you prove you deserve loss of income damages and others.
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UM Insurance Coverage Includes Hit-and-Run Accident Protection
If you purchased an insurance policy that includes uninsured motorist coverage for hit-and-run collisions, you may be able to get money for your auto crash losses following a crash in which the other driver flees the scene. This can make a world of difference for you, as there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to locate the motorist liable for your hit-and-run.
Ultimately, it’s frustrating to be involved in a hit-and-run caused by another motorist. You may work with law enforcement to track down this driver. In spite of the best efforts of you and the police, it may be difficult to find this driver and hold them accountable for your accident losses.
Fortunately, if you have UM coverage, your auto insurer may provide you with money for your losses from a hit-and-run. The business may compensate you up to your policy limits. Beyond this, you may have to cover the remainder of your accident losses.
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Tips to Help You with an Uninsured Motorist Accident Claim
Don’t let an uninsured motorist off the hook if they slam their car into yours and ask you not to file a claim or sue. Remember, this driver chose to act carelessly or recklessly, and their actions may have left you with injuries and property damage. Exercise your right to submit an insurance claim and use your UM coverage. If warranted, you may submit a lawsuit as well.
Trust a car crash lawyer with a track record of success to help you with your UM accident claim. Your attorney knows that insurance companies may drag out car accident claims. They can negotiate a settlement with your insurer that includes all of your accident losses. If a settlement offer is made, you can review it with your lawyer and make an informed decision on it.
Gather car accident scene photos, witness statements, police reports, and other evidence to strengthen your car insurance claim. If you have an abundance of proof, it becomes tough for an insurance company to contest your compensation request. Plus, your evidence may help you prove negligence if you move forward with an auto accident lawsuit.
Learn More About What’s Included in Uninsured Motorist Coverage
The legal team at Galloway Jefcoat Injury Attorneys can discuss what’s included in your uninsured motorist coverage.
If you want to use your UM coverage to get money from your auto insurance company for your car accident losses or are ready to sue the uninsured motorist at fault for your car crash, we’re here to help. Contact us today for more information.
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