Gaithersburg Uninsured Driver Accident Attorney
Anyone who has ever been involved in a car crash understands how quickly the costs associated with the property damage and medical bills can add up. Every driver in Maryland is required to hold minimal car insurance coverage because of the risks all drivers pose to other motorists on the road. Fortunately, most drivers do carry insurance, and if you are in a car crash, the insurance companies will cover the costs associated with that accident. There are, however, drivers who get behind the wheel even though they do not carry valid insurance.
If you were injured in a car crash caused by an uninsured driver, you likely have questions about whether you will be able to recover any compensation for your injuries. It is important to remember that even if you are in a car accident caused by a driver who does not carry insurance, you likely can collect compensation. Your insurance policy is required to provide coverage for uninsured motorist claims. If you were in a crash with an uninsured driver, your policy should kick in to cover the expenses that the other driver would have been required to pay if he or she had insurance.
Uninsured motorist claims can quickly become complicated. Many drivers are surprised to learn that their own insurance company will become their legal adversary. In these cases, hiring an experienced Gaithersburg, Maryland car accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need. Call Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP today at 301-670-7030 to speak to one of our dedicated Gaithersburg uninsured accident attorneys.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Our car insurance policies are not only there to protect us, but they are there to protect other drivers on the road whom we may injure. Required car insurance coverage is intended to avoid situations where an irresponsible driver causes a crash and is unable to compensate the crash victims for the damage done to their car and for their injuries. Of course, some drivers still get behind the wheel when they do not hold any car insurance. For this reason, Maryland requires that all car insurance policies hold minimal coverage for uninsured motorists. These policies are designed to protect responsible drivers who carry insurance but are injured by others who do not. After all, in many cases, drivers who do not carry insurance also lack the assets needed to cover the damages they caused in a car accident. There are also cases where the driver who caused the wreck flees the scene, and the victim does not know who caused the injuries. Uninsured motorist coverage also applies in the case of hit-and-run crashes.
You might not know how much uninsured driver coverage your policy includes. It is possible that it only contains the minimal coverage required by the state. Currently, insurance policies must have coverage up to $30,000 for each person injured in a crash to a total of $60,000 for injury coverage. The minimal coverage for property damage is $15,000.
The costs associated with being in a car accident can add up to the minimum coverage very quickly. Trips to the emergency room following a wreck can cost thousands in the event of injuries that require long-term care, and these costs will often exceed the minimum coverage amount.
What if My Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement, But I Think It Is too Low?
Insurance companies will often try to quickly and cheaply settle car crash claims. Once you file an uninsured motorist claim, your insurance company is effectively taking on the role of the defendant. In such a case, you may find that your insurance company is not offering you the amount you believe you are entitled to based on the severity of your injuries. You can challenge the company’s offer.
Hiring an attorney can help you negotiate your claim with your insurance company. Insurance disputes are often arbitrated rather than litigated, but it will be up to your attorney to decide how to proceed with your claim.
Handling this process on your own can be stressful and put you at a disadvantage. Hiring an experienced Gaithersburg, Maryland car accident attorney can help you develop a strategy to recover the compensation you need.
Can I File a Claim Against the Uninsured Motorist?
Unfortunately, most uninsured drivers will not have assets that make it worth your time to file a lawsuit against them personally. However, this might not always be the case. Your attorney will be able to evaluate your claim and determine whether pursuing the other driver in a personal injury lawsuit is the right move for you.
Call Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP for Help With Injuries Caused by an Uninsured Driver in Gaithersburg
At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, our Gaithersburg, Maryland car accident attorneys understand that your claim is an important step in your recovery from your injuries. Call us today at 301-670-7030 to speak to a dedicated attorney.
