If you are hurt in an accident, but the other driver lacks insurance coverage or flees the scene, you may be unsure what your rights are for recovering damages.
This can be confusing, especially in situations where you have serious losses. At Siegfried & Jensen, our Boise uninsured motorist accident lawyer can provide you with guidance on your rights and the steps to take to minimize losses.
Our team has recovered more than $1.2 billion for our clients. Be sure to discuss your injuries with a Boise car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What to Do if You are in an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist
An uninsured or underinsured motorist is a person who causes an accident or is otherwise at fault for the accident but lacks insurance to cover those losses.
This can occur in various cases, although it is most commonly associated with a lack of insurance or insufficient coverage. It may also occur when the driver fails to stop and is not immediately located. Some of the most important steps include:
- Contact the police and let them conduct the investigation. That information could help you move your case forward. The police will work to find the at-fault party if they leave the scene. In other cases, the police help by documenting your injuries and losses.
- File a claim against the at–fault party. If they have insurance but not enough, you may still receive a partial recovery. If you learn they do not have coverage, you can move on to the next step.
- File a claim with your insurance company. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, that means you can file a claim for your losses against your own insurance company. They will pay up to the coverage available.
- If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, your next step is to file a personal lawsuit against the at–fault party for the losses you incurred. This can be particularly challenging if the other party lacks sufficient assets to compensate for your losses.
There are still opportunities for victims to recover damages in these cases, but to do so, they must know the necessary steps to take. This process could have various endings depending on what happens in your case. Talk to a Boise personal injury lawyer about your case today.
For a free legal consultation with an uninsured motorist accident lawyer serving Boise, call (801) 266-0999
Why an Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer in Boise, ID, is so Important
As you can see, there are multiple steps involved in this process. More so, the burden of proving your losses and what happened falls on your shoulders. By working with an uninsured motorist accident attorney in Boise, ID, you minimize these risks. Some of the benefits of doing so include:
- Learn who is at fault. In some situations, our lawyer identifies other parties that could be at fault. That means that you may be able to seek damages from others who could also be at fault.
- Explore all of your losses. Uninsured motorist claims can still be lucrative and cover most of your losses. However, for that to happen, you must thoroughly document your losses. Your lawyer can help you do just that.
- Negotiate fairly. Insurance companies also try to negotiate down the compensation paid to you. With an attorney, that becomes less of a risk. Do not assume that the insurance company will treat you fairly.
When you hire a lawyer, it becomes possible for you to learn what each of your legal options is and what steps to take to maximize the compensation owed to you.
Even if the other party should be paying for your losses and they do not have insurance, you may still be able to recoup your losses. Let our legal team at Siegfried & Jensen guide you through that process.
Boise Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Understanding Idaho’s Fault Insurance Laws
Idaho is an at-fault state, which means that the person who causes the accident is responsible for the losses others incurred. Under the law, drivers must maintain adequate insurance to cover the losses they cause to others and should not operate a vehicle without coverage.
That means, in a typical situation, when a driver suffers an accident caused by the other driver, they can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s policy.
Without insurance, you must then submit a claim against your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy. The insurance company will review your losses and determine if the incident qualifies. This is why having an attorney is so important.
In situations where your damages exceed the coverage you have, we can then seek legal action against the at-fault party through a lawsuit. Your insurance company may also elect to recover its losses by pursuing a lawsuit against that party.
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Statutes of Limitations with Uninsured Motorist Accident Claims
Taking action right away makes a difference. In some situations, a driver may be waiting to file a claim for coverage because they hope the police find the at-fault party in a hit and run, while other times, drivers may have serious injuries they have not recovered from fully. You should not rush into a decision, but you also need to know the limitations.
Under Idaho Statutes § 5-219, victims of a car accident have two years from the date of that accident to file a claim. That may seem like plenty of time, but waiting that long can also be problematic. It may mean that some of the evidence you need to build a strong case is lost or witnesses are no longer available.
Instead of waiting, reach out to a lawyer for immediate guidance. Our legal team will work closely with you to ensure you get exactly the level of support you need to file a comprehensive claim at the right time. Let our Boise hit and run accident lawyer help you get started with a free consultation.
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Set Up a Free Consultation with Our Boise Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney
If you are hurt and suffering, you need an advocate who can guide you, especially if the party that hurt you lacks insurance protection for you.
At Siegfried & Jensen, you have an advocate in an uninsured motorist accident lawyer in Boise, ID, with experience, compassion, and a strong reputation for providing you with exceptional legal insights. Contact us now for a free consultation.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
