Uninsured Motorist Claims

UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED MOTORIST CLAIMS

Why am I told I have a “UM” claim?

Uninsured motorist claims can be complex. Carrying auto insurance is a requirement for all drivers under Georgia state law. Many drivers still however, do not purchase an auto insurance policy, and some others purchase a policy that provides the minimum coverage allowed by law. If you find yourself involved in an auto accident that was caused by the negligence of an uninsured motorist, or one that is underinsured, you may have to seek compensation from alternate sources. These could include your own insurance company, to prevent you from having to bear the total financial cost resulting from the accident.

Georgia Uninsured Motorist Law

All insurance carriers in the state of Georgia, are required to include uninsured motorist coverage in their policies. The cost of this coverage is included in your premium, and the limits of the coverage is determined by the level of uninsured motorist coverage that you select. At least the minimum amount of this coverage should be included in your policy, unless you have stated in writing that you are rejecting this type of coverage.

Uninsured Motorist Claims

With this uninsured motorist coverage, if you suffer any injury in an auto accident deemed to have been caused by an uninsured driver, you will be able to make a claim on your insurance company. Uninsured motorist coverage will compensate for the following:

Medical bills

Loss of wages

Pain, suffering and disfigurement

Loss of future earning capacity

Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage May Not Cover:

Damage to your car (this should be covered by your collision coverage)

Punitive damages

Each policy may differ in regards to uninsured motorist coverage, so reviewing carefully the terms of your policy is very important.

Underinsured Motorist Claims

Underinsured motorist coverage protects the policyholder when the driver that is the cause of the accident has insufficient coverage to compensate for any resulting damages. Generally, this coverage will compensate you for the difference in total damages, once the coverage from the other driver’s insurance policy has been exhausted. An example of this would be, if as a result of an auto accident, the cost of damages was accessed at $100,000, and the insurance policy of the negligent driver only covers $50,000, then you could seek to recover the additional amount of $50,000 from your insurance company, once you have underinsured motorist coverage.

Talk to an Attorney Today

The process of uninsured motorist claims is usually very complex and technical, and your insurance company may attempt to reduce or deny you any form of compensation. It is therefore important for you to seek representation by an experienced lawyer, who has handled uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. The stakes are definitely too high for you to risk your claim being denied on the basis of a technicality You may have to pay substantial amounts out of your own pocket, if you do not receive the compensation you deserve.

At the Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines, our attorney has vast experience spanning over 40 years of litigation, in both state and federal courts. Having handled numerous uninsured motorist claims over the years, we totally comprehend the rules of law governing these cases, which can be quite complex. Our lawyer can offer the greatest likelihood, that the outcome of your claim will be favorable.