Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist Coverage Claims

When you have been involved in a car accident and the other driver was at fault, one option you may use is filing a claim with your auto insurance company under the provisions of your policy’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Should you choose to go this route, you will be doing so because the driver responsible for the accident either had no auto insurance or failed to have enough coverage to adequately pay for any physical injuries or property damage you sustained in the accident. However, since these claims can be complex and sometimes involve insurance companies balking at paying out your claim, it will be crucial to work with an uninsured motorist lawyer you can trust, such as those at Mann Elias.

Uninsured Motorist Accidents

While most states require motorists to carry auto insurance, the fact is many drivers on today’s roads have no insurance whatsoever. Thus, if you are involved in an accident with one of these drivers, you basically have two options. The first is hiring a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer and filing a lawsuit against the driver. However, if the person is not carrying auto liability insurance, chances are they do not have enough money to make a lawsuit a viable option. Instead, it will likely be best if you file an uninsured motorist claim Los Angeles accident victims know will be handled by the experienced and knowledgeable professionals at Mann Elias. By doing so, you will stand the best chance of being compensated for your damages.

Police Accident Investigations
If you are involved in an auto accident where property damage and injuries occur, always call police to the scene so they can investigate the accident and file a report. In doing so, you not only gain official verification from police that the other driver is responsible for the accident, but also have an accident report that can be used by your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. In the event you do decide to sue for damages or find an insurance company attempting to get out of paying a claim, your attorney can use this accident report to your advantage.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage
In accidents where the other driver does carry auto liability insurance but may not have enough coverage to pay for your injuries and damages, your best option will be to file a claim and seek an underinsured motorist coverage settlement through your insurance company. In these situations, this part of your insurance coverage will fill in the gap between the expenses of your medical bills, other damages and the coverage limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.

If you find yourself dealing with a driver who is underinsured, plan on being very patient while the claims process works itself out. In fact, when you are in the midst of seeking an underinsured motorist coverage settlement, it will probably take several months to perhaps one year before everything is finalized. Depending upon how much medical treatment you need, how long you will be off from work, and other factors, you will need to work closely with an uninsured motorist lawyer from Mann Elias who also knows how to deal with underinsured motorist claims.

File Your Claims Quickly
No matter which type of claim you may be filing, it is important to do so as quickly as possible. Since an uninsured motorist claims Los Angeles accident victims file must be done so within 30 days from the date of the accident in most cases, do not procrastinate. Instead, schedule a consultation with the experienced auto accident attorneys at Mann Elias to discuss your case in greater detail.

Beware of Coverage Limits
When filing a claim of this nature, it is crucial to remember that most insurance companies will not allow you to carry an amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that is greater than your own liability coverage. Because of this, always make sure you read the details of your policy very closely. Should you have questions about any aspects of your policy and its coverage, consult an attorney from Mann Elias as soon as possible.

Bad Faith Claims
While you may be trying to do everything by the book regarding your claim, the same may not hold true for your insurance company. In many instances, insurance companies will question every detail of the accident, your injuries and other damages, and whether or not you were even injured in the accident. If this turns into a severe adversarial confrontation between you and your insurance company, you can work with an attorney to file a bad faith claim against the company.

Since auto accident claims of this nature are always complex, hire the best attorneys to help you from start to finish. To schedule your consultation, contact Mann Elias as soon as possible.