Options For Motorist That Was Hit By Uninsured Driver

Normally, following an accident, the insurance company of the responsible driver covers the reported losses. Suppose, though, that the same driver has failed to buy automobile insurance. What happens then?

The person that was driving the damaged vehicle could seek coverage from his or her own insurance company.

Policyholders in most states enjoy the opportunity to purchase added protection, in the form of uninsured motorist coverage (UIM). In fact, in some states all drivers are required to buy such coverage. What level of protection does a policyholder obtain by paying for the UIM option? Following an accident, the pay-out to the policyholder cannot exceed the amount of the standard liability policy.

Sometimes the policy limits on the coverage that has been provided to the responsible driver keeps the individual that has suffered a significant loss from obtaining enough money to cover all of the expenses. At such a time, some policyholders have access to the funds that were assured by their purchase of underinsured motorist coverage.

Any policyholders that have paid for either UIM or underinsured motorist coverage should not take their time about making a claim. Following occurrence of a collision, someone that hopes to take advantage of any added protection must make a claim no more than 30 days from the date when the involved vehicles collided.

What assistance might come from collision coverage?

Personal Injury Lawyer in Hamilton knows that collision coverage can be added to an automobile insurance policy, without an added fee for the policyholder. The addition of such coverage requires payment by the policyholder’s insurance company of money for repairs to the covered vehicle, if it were to become damaged.

Collision coverage does not provide money to cover medical expenses. Those funds do become available to someone that has purchased optional coverage. Both types of optional coverage for insured drivers allow for the pay-out of funds that can function as reimbursement for the policyholder’s/driver’s medical expenses.

Would it be possible for the victim of an accident to sue the responsible driver, in order to get reimbursed for accident-related injuries?

If the same victim did not live in a no-fault state, then he or she could consider taking that particular action. However, accident victims that have chosen to reside in a no-fault state could not enjoy that option, unless the accident’s consequences rose to a specific level.

In states with a no-fault policy, with respect to automobile collisions, the victim of such a collision could file a lawsuit, but only under one condition. That condition would exist if the injuries caused by the reported, on-road incident were of a serious nature. Otherwise, the victim’s own insurance company would cover the costs for any treatments that had been prescribed for the policyholder’s injuries.