Navigating Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you live in Bowie, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Clinton, Laurel, College Park, Landover or anywhere in Prince George’s County, you know that car accidents happen. Even after a car accident, there is a peaceful comfort in knowing that either your car insurance or the other driver’s insurance will help pay for any of the expenses for your injuries or vehicle damage. That’s why car insurance is mandatory in Maryland. However, what happens if the other driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all your costs?

At the Prince George’s County personal injury law firm of Foran & Foran, P.A., we routinely take on even the largest insurance companies, demanding fair compensation for our clients. We have a firm grasp of Maryland’s insurance laws and insurance companies’ obligations to policyholders and will pour all our knowledge and experience into your case to secure the best possible outcome.

The Insurance Information Institute estimates that 15% of Maryland drivers are uninsured. What’s more, this figure has actually increased by nearly 30 percent over the past five years, meaning more drivers are skipping out on their obligation to purchase mandatory car insurance.

When you are involved in a collision with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages, you will have to seek assistance from your own insurance company to cover your damages. However, you’ll need to have the appropriate insurance coverage, or your insurance company won’t pay out a dime.

Uninsured motorist protection is insurance coverage that protects you when you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist who is found to be at fault. On the other hand, underinsured motorist protection is coverage that protects you when you are involved in an accident with another driver who does not have adequate coverage to cover the damages you sustained as a result of the accident.

If you have the right type of coverage, you can file a claim against your own policy for uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits. However, the difficulty in these claims arises when insurance companies place restrictions on how these policies are paid out. These actions are a breach of contract action and are handled as such rather than a straight negligence claim. It is important to begin the process of making this claim as soon as you find out that the other driver has no insurance or inadequate insurance.

Keep in mind if you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you must report the accident and any injuries to your car insurance company. If you suffered injuries that may not be covered by adequate insurance, you should talk to an experienced Maryland accident attorney to help you recover. A Maryland personal injury attorney at Foran & Foran, P.A., can make sure that your interests are protected.

If you or someone in your family was injured in a Maryland car accident with a driver who was either uninsured or underinsured, it’s essential you understand your rights and what you can do to pursue a claim against your own insurance company. At Foran & Foran, P.A., our car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling UIM claims and UM claims on behalf of drivers in Bowie, New Carrolton, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Laurel, and throughout the state. Our Prince George’s County vehicle accident attorneys have approximately 85 years of combined experience fighting insurance companies to ensure our clients are fairly compensated. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation today, call us at 301-441-2022 or connect with us online by filling out our secure online form. Let Our Family Help Your Family! We look forward to hearing from you.