With a minimum requirement of only $25,000 for liability insurance coverage in Indiana, it is not at all unusual for the costs and expenses resulting from an auto accident to exceed the insurance limits of the driver at fault. For a free consultation about the procedures involved in making a claim for personal injury damages and vehicle repair expenses against your own insurance company, contact the Law Offices of Tony Zirkle in Indianapolis, South Bend, Fort Wayne, or Crown Point.
If you need an Indiana Uninsured Motorist Lawyer, contact Indiana Uninsured Motorist Lawyer Tony Zirkle now!
Uninsured Motorist FAQ's
Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist policy can protect you from any shortfall in the other driver's liability insurance, but the advice of an experienced Indiana car insurance attorney is often necessary to avoid mistakes and realize the full value of your claims.
Uninsured Motorists - An Overview
All states have laws that require drivers to show proof of their financial ability to pay for personal injury or property damage to others in the event of an automobile accident. Most drivers satisfy this requirement by purchasing insurance, but many cannot afford, or ignore, this obligation. It is also not uncommon for insurance companies to become insolvent, potentially leaving their policyholders without liability coverage. The result is that responsible drivers who carry insurance must bear the burden of paying for their own injuries, or damage to their vehicle, caused by someone who has no insurance coverage. Alternatively, some drivers purchase the lowest amounts of liability coverage permitted by the law in their state, which can be insufficient to cover the damages incurred by someone injured in an accident with them. Unfortunately, many people realize the importance of uninsured/underinsured coverage too late, i.e., after they or their family members have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
Uninsured motorist coverage is a voluntary form of insurance offered by all automobile insurance companies. Uninsured motorist coverage is coverage you purchase from your own insurance company, which pays for bodily injury losses to you and your passengers as a result of an accident with a driver who is legally responsible for the injuries, but has no liability coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage can also apply when someone is injured in an accident with a hit-and-run vehicle, whose owner and operator cannot be identified. Underinsured motorist coverage pays for bodily injury damages to a policyholder and/or his or her passengers as a result of an accident with an at-fault driver who has liability insurance, but with limits that are lower than the injured party's underinsured motorist limits.
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What Are Your Injuries Worth?
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you have reason to be concerned about money. Medical bills from an injury can mount up very quickly, and even a short period of being unable to work can cause real financial problems for you and your family.
It is impossible to predict in advance exactly how much you may recover for your injuries. There are many factors that affect the value of an injury, and it can take time for these to become clear. For example, the amount you receive will vary depending upon how severely you were injured, whether you are working and what type of job you have, if your injuries are permanent, if you are married, and numerous other factors. An exact prediction is impossible, but an attorney experienced in handling motor vehicle accident claims can give you some idea of what you might be entitled to recover.
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Do's and Don'ts: Insurance Claims
DO call your agent as soon as a covered event takes place. As soon as you get home from the car accident, or even before you go to the doctor, call your agent.
DO review and understand your coverage before talking to your insurer or your agent. Read the "Coverage" and "Exclusion" sections of you policy in particular.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Automobile Insurance
What is liability insurance?
If a driver is at fault in a car accident, liability insurance pays for the damages that he/she caused to someone else. It does not pay for his/her own damages. There are two kinds of liability insurance: bodily injury and property damage. Bodily injury expenses include medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and lost wages. Property damage expenses include the repair or replacement of any items belonging to another person that are damaged or destroyed. Virtually every state requires some level of liability coverage. To find out what your state requires, ask your attorney.
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What Happens in a Motor Vehicle Accident Case
A claim for injuries caused by an uninsured motorist is similar to most other claims for injuries from a motor vehicle accident. The principal difference is that your own insurance company will be defending against your claim. The uninsured driver may not even be present at any of the proceedings. In fact, if your claim is for damages from a hit-and-run accident, you will not even know the identity of the driver involved.
What follows is a typical sequence of events in a motor vehicle case that involves an uninsured motorist. The exact practices may vary in your state, or your community. An attorney with experience in handling motor vehicle accident cases can tell you what the practices are in your community.
Investigation
Before your lawsuit begins, your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of your claim. This investigation will include
- Analysis of all police reports
- Obtaining and reviewing witness statements
- Obtaining and reviewing medical records
- Inspection of the accident site
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