Have You Been Involved in an Underinsured Motorist Vehicle Accident?
In the state of Michigan, car owners are required to maintain a no-fault auto insurance policy. Even with this law in place, there are still thousands of underinsured drivers in Michigan.
Becoming involved in a car accident with one of these drivers can be financially devastating for you and your family.
How Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage Works
Underinsured motorist coverage is, essentially, protection against irresponsible drivers. This type of insurance is intended to cover your injuries when the driver who hit you doesn’t have enough liability coverage (or if they take off after the accident). Here’s how it typically works:
- If you get into an accident that isn’t your fault, you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company.
- The goal is to collect compensation for medical expenses, car repair, and lost wages without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses of your own.
- If the at-fault driver does not have enough liability coverage, you may find yourself paying for a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
- You can protect yourself from a motorist who doesn’t have enough liability coverage by having your own underinsured motorist coverage that takes care of the excess amounts of your damages and medical expenses.
In short, your uninsured motorist’s insurance provides like the coverage that the uninsured driver should have.
Your personal coverage does not allow the at-fault driver to get off without consequences. That driver is still responsible for the accident, and a judgment against the driver may hold them accountable. Getting money from that driver for damages and injuries, however, is another hurdle entirely. Uninsured drivers usually cannot afford the insurance they need – and if there is no money for the insurance, collecting from them personally may be next to impossible.
Insurance Complications After an Underinsured Motorist Vehicle Accident
If your liability insurance policy is worth more than your underinsured motorist coverage, settlement with your liability insurance company could affect your underinsured motorist coverage. Confusing? Absolutely. Trying to navigate the particulars of your insurance documentation is difficult on a good day, let alone in the wake of a serious car accident.
It is essential to ensure that your underinsured motorist coverage can sufficiently cover you and your family should you be involved in a tragic accident. The last thing you want is for your coverage to be voided because of the limits and fine print of another policy. You do not want to receive less than the amount you are entitled to be awarded.
Why You Need a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer After Your Car Crash
Following any vehicle accident, you want a Michigan car accident attorney to help you through the process, especially in dealing with the insurance companies – both yours and that of the at-fault driver.
Even though your no-fault insurance covers all medical expenses, regardless of fault, you can suffer greater costs than your coverage allows, including pain and suffering, long-term wage loss, disability, or disfigurement.
Remember, you can’t go back to the insurance company and ask for more than you got the first time just because you should have negotiated better to collect your benefits. Get help before any payments or insurance coverage kicks in. You want to trust that your injuries and expenses will be covered in case of an underinsured motorist or hit-and-run accident.
File the right claims, prove your damages, show that your underinsured motorist policy has the coverage you need to be properly compensated for your situation.
Contact the experienced car accident attorneys at Thurswell Law to discuss your situation before you talk to any insurance company.
Call Thurswell Law at (866) 354-5544 Today.
