Salt Lake City Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyer

Insurance issues can arise quickly after an accident. What if the other driver does not have insurance coverage? What can you do if the other driver’s insurance coverage does not fully cover your expenses? At Handy & Handy, we will help you answer these questions.

What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is auto insurance that protects you when you are in an accident and the other party is at fault, and they do not have any insurance coverage on their vehicle. Anytime you are in an accident with a driver that does not have auto insurance, you can file a claim against your own UM coverage.

For example, let’s say you were rear-ended in traffic by a driver, and you find out that they do not have auto insurance. You would then get a police report about the damages and the at-fault driver’s information.

Next, you would call your insurance company to file a claim, letting your adjuster know that the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance. The insurance adjuster will handle your damages under your own UM coverage, and then go after the at-fault driver to recoup the money paid out for your claim.

What is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) will help you if you are in an accident with a driver, and that driver does not carry enough insurance to fully cover your damages.

For example, let’s say your damages are being handled by the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and they amount to $20,000. But, the at-fault driver only has $10,000 worth of auto insurance that can be paid out on your claim.

The insurance adjuster will send you a letter detailing the at-fault driver’s policy limits. You can then file a claim under your own insurance policy and use your UIM coverage to take care of your other $10,000 in damages.

Why You Should Carry Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

It is estimated that one in eight drivers does not carry any, or enough, car insurance to cover the damages they would cause if they were responsible for an accident. This is why it is a good idea to carry UM/UIM coverage.

If you are hit by another driver who is insured, their insurance should help pay for medical treatment for any injuries caused to you and your passengers. However, if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, then you and your passengers might end up having to pay all or part of your medical bills which, depending on the extent of your injuries, could be quite substantial.

UM/UIM coverage helps you pay for bodily injuries that result from an accident with an uninsured driver. UM/UIM coverage protects you and your passengers, not the other driver, and is a smart and affordable way to stay prepared for the unexpected.

In Utah, drivers are not required to purchase UM/UIM coverage. However, purchasing UM/UIM coverage can protect you in the unfortunate event that you are in a serious car accident with a driver who is uninsured or whose insurance will not cover all of your losses.

If you do purchase UM/UIM coverage, state law requires you to purchase a minimum of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident of UM coverage, and $10,000 per person/$20,000 per accident of UIM coverage.

Your Options After An Accident With An Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorist

Our attorneys represent individuals injured in auto accidents in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah. We have experience dealing with underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage issues. It is a real tragedy and injustice when it seems the wrongdoer is not being held fully accountable for his or her actions after a crash.

Learn more about Personal Injury Protection Coverage and see how we can assist with your insurance claim.

We will help you explore your options to receive compensation through your own insurance coverage policy if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. We will review your own insurance policy to see if you have sufficient underinsured motorist coverage to help cover your expenses. We will also work diligently to obtain reductions with medical providers and health insurance companies to ensure the medical bills are able to be satisfied with the available settlement money.

You have rights after an accident. We will make sure you are educated about your coverage options and help you take the appropriate steps to file a claim.

Schedule A Free Consultation To Discuss Your Claim

Involved in an accident with an uninsured driver in Salt Lake City? Our lawyers will help you understand your rights, explain your insurance coverage and help you seek benefits from your insurance company. To arrange a free consultation, call our firm at (801) 264-6677 or send us an email.