Did you suffer injuries in a collision with an uninsured motorist? You don’t have to bear the financial burden alone.
Our experienced uninsured motorist lawyers at DePaolo & Zadeikis can help you pursue financial justice. For more than 30 years, our team has served the Chicago community.
We will help you understand your legal options, and work with you to recover maximum compensation. At DePaolo & Zadeikis, we offer:
A wreck with an uninsured driver doesn’t mean you have to foot the bill. Call our uninsured motorist lawyers at DePaolo & Zadeikis to discuss your options for recovery. 312-263-7560.
Although 49 states and the District of Columbia require drivers to carry liability insurance that covers minimum amounts for property damage and personal injuries, the Insurance Research Council (IRC) reports that about 13% of drivers are still uninsured. And many people who are insured carry only the minimum limits required by law.
In Illinois, car owners are only required to have $25,000 in coverage for the injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injuries or fatalities suffered by two or more people, and just $20,000 in coverage for property damage.
Since most motor vehicle accident victims rely on payments from the insurance company to settle the costs, uninsured and underinsured motorists pose a serious problem in Illinois.
Fortunately, if you suffer losses in an uninsured motor vehicle accident, you have legal options to help you recover compensation for damages. The uninsured motorist lawyers at DePaolo & Zadeikis have provided numerous Chicagoans with solutions that have enabled them to collect substantial amounts of money after an accident with an uninsured driver.
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There are various ways to recover compensation for losses suffered in a car accident with an uninsured driver. The best route to recovery for you will depend on factors like your own insurance coverage, whether additional liable parties had some type of coverage, and whether you or the other party was working at the time of the crash.
The first thing your lawyer will do is look into your own auto insurance coverage limits that apply to uninsured motorist accidents. In Illinois, all motor vehicle insurance policies are required to include coverage for car accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. This is known as UM/UIM coverage.
Like liability insurance, the uninsured motorist coverage minimums are $25,000 for one injured person and $50,000 for two or more injured people. Most people don’t purchase additional UM coverage, and these amounts may not be enough to cover the damages if you are seriously injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash. In fact, considering that the total estimated cost of a fatality accident is $1,410,000, and about $70,000 for a non-fatal injury accident, the small minimum coverages will likely barely scratch the surface. Fortunately, there may be other legal options available to help you recover costs.
In some cases, when you are injured in an uninsured motorist accident or in a crash where the other driver’s insurance is insufficient, you may be able to recover compensation from third parties who were at least partially responsible for the injuries.
There are a number of situations in which a third party may be liable for damages.
If you were hit by an uninsured driver, give us a call today at 312-263-7560 for a free, no obligation consultation.
If your car accident injuries are significant and the at-fault driver is underinsured, you may still be able to recover substantial sums of money to cover economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering and disfigurement. Similar to uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist insurance (UIM) provides additional coverage when an at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough. It will cover the difference between the other driver’s liability insurance bodily injury limits and the limits for your underinsured motorist policy.
Even when you are filing a claim with your own insurance company, however, it often takes negotiation by an experienced motor accident lawyer to get results.
Our team makes sure the insurance company knows that you are serious about getting treated fairly and, when necessary, we’ll take your case to court to ensure that you get paid.
If you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you should notify your insurance company of the crash and your intent to file a claim. The insurance carrier will have a specific process for you to follow, which may include completing forms and submitting supporting documentation. Based on an assessment of your claim, your insurance company may offer you a settlement.
Talk to an uninsured and underinsured motorist accident lawyer before accepting a settlement agreement from the insurance company. Your attorney will carefully review the offer with you, making sure it covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other associated losses. A legal representative will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and, if needed, will argue your case at trial to see you recover fair compensation.
While you don’t need a lawyer to pursue an uninsured or underinsured motorist accident claim, there are several benefits to working with a legal representative. Your attorney can help you understand the specifics of your policy, including coverage limits and exclusions as they relate to your crash. Your lawyer will help gather evidence like medical records, police reports, and witness statements to support your claim.
Filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim involves navigating legal procedures and deadlines. An attorney will handle the paperwork, negotiations, and court appearances, so that you can focus on what matters most – your recovery. While the insurance company may try to minimize your payout, your lawyer will negotiate a fair settlement that reflect the extent of your injury-associated damages.
Like other car accident claims, you’ve got a limited timeframe in which to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for such claims is two years from the date of the accident, except under certain circumstances. Keep in mind, your policy may have a contractual limitation for filing a claim. The limitation from your insurance carrier may or may not differ from the state’s statute of limitations.
To ensure you don’t miss an important filing deadline, do not wait until the last minute to file your uninsured or underinsured motorist claim. Your attorney will need time to build your case, and some policies have additional internal deadlines you must meet to avoid forfeiting your chance to recover compensation.
You might be interested in these uninsured/underinsured motorist resources:
How Much Can I Get From an Underinsured Motorist Claim?
What to Do After a Hit and Run
Recovering Damages When the Responsible Party Dies
Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long in Chicago?
If you were injured in a wreck with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, don’t hesitate. Call DePaolo & Zadeikis today to discuss your options, 312-273-6746.
