How To Get Compensation For A Car Accident With An Uninsured Driver
Being involved in a car accident in Maryland is a traumatic experience. In addition to causing devastating personal injuries, crashes can leave you and your family facing hundreds of thousands in medical costs and other losses.
When another driver is to blame, you can hold them liable, but what happens if the at-fault driver is uninsured? Our Maryland car accident attorneys explain how common uninsured driver accidents are, why some drivers fail to carry coverage, and how to get the compensation you are entitled to.
Car Accidents with Uninsured Drivers in Maryland Are Common
Despite Maryland law requiring all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, uninsured motorist accidents continue to pose hazards on roads and highways throughout the state. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that 14 percent of Maryland motorists, roughly one in seven drivers, lack coverage.
Auto insurance helps cover the high costs of collisions and avoids personal liability. Considering the legal requirements and protections it provides, why do so many Maryland drivers operate without insurance? Common reasons include:
- The driver has a suspended license;
- They are unable to get insurance due to a history of accidents or traffic citations;
- They are unable or unwilling to pay high insurance premiums;
- Their policy mistakenly lapsed;
- They decided not to get insurance, thinking the odds of needing it were low.
How to Get Compensation After An Uninsured Driver In Maryland
If you get injured in a car accident in Maryland caused by an uninsured driver, you still have legal options for recovering compensation. As the state requires all auto insurance policies to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, your own coverage may help offset medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
Depending on the circumstances, you may also be entitled to seek compensation by taking the at-fault driver to court. This can generally provide additional amounts not available through insurers and helps get a sense of justice.
To protect your rights in a claim with an uninsured driver, get professional legal help. Actions our Maryland car accident attorneys take on behalf of clients include:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your crash and gather evidence to support your claim;
- Calculate your current property damages, lost wages, and medical expenses while also determining projected future losses due to your injuries;
- Review your insurance policy and negotiate with claims adjusters to get you the maximum settlement;
- Investigate the at-fault driver’s assets to determine if a lawsuit is a viable option and represent you in legal proceedings.
Request A Consultation Today With Our Experienced Maryland Car Accident Attorneys
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and uninsured driver claims tend to be even more complicated and contested. To protect your rights and get the total amount you need to recover, contact Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP. Reach out today to request a consultation with our experienced Maryland car accident attorneys.
Sources:
iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/Pages/insurance-requirements.aspx
