Will my insurance cover me if I am hit by an uninsured driver? Your insurance will cover you if hit by an uninsured driver if you have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy.
Under state law, all drivers must carry at least liability insurance to protect others they injure or cause property damage to, but that does not always happen. Speak with a Salt Lake City uninsured motorist accident lawyer today.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works
Uninsured motorist coverage is likely the path to take if you have injuries from another person exceeding the $3,000 value of personal injury protection.
This type of insurance covers the policyholder – the person who takes out and purchases the insurance coverage. You will likely have coverage for both underinsured and uninsured drivers.
Uninsured motorist coverage allows you to calculate your losses and file a claim with your insurance company. You can use evidence to prove the value of your accident and claim damages up to the value of the policy you established. You will need to demonstrate all of your losses to receive compensation.
Uninsured motorist coverage does not apply in situations where you are the party at fault. It only works to cover losses you have and can demonstrate through evidence up to the value of your policy. Sometimes, this is still not enough to cover all the losses you have.
For a free legal consultation, call (801) 266-0999
Warnings About Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Just because this is a policy you purchased, and it is your insurance company and adjuster handling the claim, you cannot let your guard down. The insurance company still wants to minimize what it pays out for your case. Consider these specific strategies they take to do so:
- Deny coverage. The company may try to say you were responsible for the accident. As such, your uninsured motorist coverage would not be applicable.
- Delay payments. Delaying your payment may be a way to stall and frustrate you. This often causes those who need those funds to agree to less than they are owed.
- Dispute the value of your losses. Insurance companies may try to reduce the amount they pay by stating that your reported losses are inaccurate.
Insurance companies will never complain if you claim a value that is less than they expect your losses to be, but they will apply pressure to lower what they pay out. For this reason, working with a Salt Lake City car accident lawyer can be critical. Let our legal team determine all of your losses.
How to Handle an Accident When the Other Driver Lacks Coverage
If you are in a car accident and learn the other driver did not have coverage, there are several key steps to take to minimize your risk. We strongly encourage you to seek out legal representation as a priority in these cases. Then:
- Gather any information about the accident you have, including photos and statements from witnesses, to provide to your attorney.
- Alert the insurance company to the accident right away, but do not file a claim just yet.
- Get medical care for all of your needs and follow up with your doctor.
- Document the losses you have while missing work and recovering.
- Let your attorney go to work fast.
As you work with an attorney, you will learn whether uninsured motorist accident coverage will help you. In some situations, other strategies may be available to increase your ability to claim compensation further. Yet, these are complicated cases that often benefit from the hands-on support of an experienced attorney.
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Understanding Utah Insurance Requirements
According to the Utah Insurance Department, all drivers on the road must maintain bodily injury auto insurance and property damage liability insurance coverage.
This type of insurance is a policy you purchase that covers the losses others incur due to your mistakes and negligence. However, this process becomes challenging if the driver at fault lacks insurance for any reason.
In Utah, drivers must also have $3,000 worth of no–fault insurance. This is a type of personal injury insurance that protects you, as the victim, when others lack insurance coverage. There are several factors to consider in this situation, and a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer can help.
Utah Is a No Fault State
Utah operates as a no-fault state, which means that no matter who is at fault in an accident, your personal injury coverage covers your losses. Using your $3,000 worth of no–fault personal injury coverage is the first step. Once you do that, and you still have additional losses, you can then move to seek additional losses from other methods.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Utah
Utah law does not require motorists to have uninsured motorist coverage. However, many drivers elect to purchase this coverage so that if a driver hurts them without coverage and has serious losses, this policy can help fill in some of the gaps. This may be the best route to take if you have losses above $3,000.
Suing the At-Fault Party
If you lack enough no-fault insurance and do not have uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a legal claim against the at-fault party to pursue additional compensation.
This can be challenging, but our attorneys will help you navigate the legal system and make sure your voice is heard. Keep in mind that suing an at-fault party is a legal option, but if they do not own assets, you may face financial losses anyway.
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Turn to a Local, Experienced Car Accident Attorney for Help
If an uninsured driver hurt you, you have the right to pursue compensation against that party, but you may also be able to file a claim with your insurance company.
Let us handle this process for you. Contact Siegfried & Jensen now to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form