If you were injured by an uninsured driver, does that mean you cannot make a personal injury claim? If the at-fault driver is underinsured, will that mean there is not enough insurance to cover your personal injury claim? In both cases, you can make a claim against your own (or in many cases your family’s) car insurance. At Koch & Brim, our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers can answer your questions and concerns about uninsured or underinsured drivers. Learn what your case is worth today with a free consultation.
Car Accident Lawyer William Brim Discusses Uninsured Driver Accident Cases
What a Las Vegas Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Lawyer Can Do
Getting involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist can be confusing. You might not know where to turn for adequate financial compensation for your medical bills or property repairs. Working with a qualified car accident attorney in Las Vegas can make what comes next easier.
Your lawyer can protect your rights while going up against your own insurance provider in pursuit of a fair settlement – or represent you in court in a case against a third party, if applicable. An attorney will fight to make sure you receive full compensation.
A lawyer can investigate the car accident for any available coverage. If a defective car part contributed to the collision, for example, the part manufacturer may be held liable in lieu of an uninsured driver. You can trust your lawyer to negotiate for maximum compensation while you spend your energy recovering.
What to Do if You’re Injured By an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?
If you get hurt in a Las Vegas car accident and discover that the driver who hit you is uninsured or underinsured, the steps that you take immediately after the crash can impact your ability to recover fair financial compensation.
- Pull over close to your accident in a safe location. If possible, move your disabled car out of the road to prevent further collisions.
- Check yourself and others involved in the car accident for injuries. Get medical care immediately and render aid to others, if needed.
- Call 911 from the scene to report the car accident to the police. Always report an accident where the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
- Stay at the scene to exchange information with the other driver. Avoid admitting fault. Take pictures of the car accident before you leave.
- Call your own car insurance company to inquire about UM/UIM coverage or other types of first-party benefits available on your policy.
- Contact Koch & Brim, LLP for a free consultation about your case and legal rights. We can step in at any phase to help you with the recovery process.
Put your safety first after any type of car crash in Las Vegas. Once you’ve received professional medical care, start thinking about filing a claim. Begin by contacting us for a free initial case review.
Making a Personal Injury Claim if You Were in an Accident With an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver
Insurance policies can be hard to understand – especially after a car accident when you are trying to determine what your policy will or will not cover. The Las Vegas car accident lawyers at Koch & Brim have more than 40 years of combined experience helping people know their insurance rights.
- Mandatory coverage in Nevada: In Nevada, every car insurance policy has to have uninsured motorist coverage. That assures that you are covered when the at-fault driver does not have insurance. The only exception is if you signed a special waiver and turned down coverage.
- Uninsured coverage waiver: Are you sure you signed a waiver for uninsured motorist coverage? Ask your insurance company to show you the waiver. If they don’t have it, chances are you didn’t sign it – and you should be given access to uninsured and underinsured coverage.
- Family or household car insurance: If you were driving a motorcycle or scooter, for example, that had no uninsured motorist coverage, or were driving or riding in someone else’s car that had no uninsured motorist coverage, you can still make a claim for uninsured motorist coverage on the car insurance policy for a family or household vehicle even though you were not in it at the time of the accident. Your lawyer can explain your rights and options.
- Underinsured motorist coverage: This coverage will compensate you if the liable driver does not have enough insurance to pay for your injuries and damages. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, then you automatically have underinsured motorist coverage even if your policy does not say “underinsured motorist coverage” on it. If the vehicle you were driving or riding in as a passenger does not have underinsured motorist coverage, you can still make a claim if another vehicle in your household has this coverage on it.
Damages That May Not Be Covered By UM/UIM Coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance coverage in Nevada may not be enough to fully pay for all of your losses – especially if the crash was severe or you suffered a catastrophic, life-changing injury.
One potentially significant loss that is typically not covered by UM/UIM is your property damage. The cost to repair your damaged vehicle or replace a totaled car may have to come from another source, such as your own collision insurance or a third-party lawsuit.
UM/UIM insurance also does not cover punitive damages, which may be awarded in a car accident case involving a grossly negligent or reckless driver. Finally, any leftover expenses once your UM/UIM insurance reaches its policy limit will not be covered.
If your UM/UIM insurance isn’t enough or unavailable, it’s even more important to consult with a local Las Vegas car accident lawyer from Koch & Brim, LLP. We will thoroughly explore all of your financial recovery options to help you achieve the monetary outcome you deserve.
Consult Our Las Vegas Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in an accident involving a driver that is either uninsured or underinsured, we can help you fight for compensation! Contact us today in Las Vegas for a free consultation! (702) 410-6034.