Being in a traffic collision is always stressful, but it can be doubly so if the other person is uninsured or underinsured. It’s not as rare of an occurrence as you may think; in fact, 14% of motorists throughout the country were uninsured in 2022. If you’ve been in an accident with someone who had no insurance or not enough insurance, you may wonder what your options are.
In Arizona, navigating uninsured or underinsured motorist situations can be complex. That is why it’s vital to consult our uninsured or underinsured motorist attorneys.
At Valley Injury Team, we have a proven track record of successfully representing victims facing medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages because of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct. Contact us to learn how we can help you with your case.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects an accident victim who was injured by a negligent driver with no insurance to cover their claim for injuries and damages. Uninsured motorist coverage also covers hit-and-run claims. Underinsured motorist coverage protects an accident victim who was injured by a negligent driver with not enough insurance to cover their claim for injuries and damages.
To legally drive a car in Arizona, you must meet the minimum insurance requirements. These requirements include:
These minimum insurance requirements will never adequately cover a serious accident claim. While Arizona doesn’t mandate the purchase of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, it’s recommended that all drivers carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage because you can’t control who injures you in an accident, and the cost of medical care continually increases.
Having uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage means that you can still be covered for your injuries, treatment and other damages. Your insurance, however, will only compensate you for the value of your claim up to the uninsured or underinsured limits. It’s important to carry sufficient coverage to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event you or they suffer severe injuries by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
If you suffered serious injuries, you can file a personal injury claim against the person who caused the accident. If the at-fault party does not have auto insurance, then you can pursue an uninsured motorist claim through your own insurance to seek compensation for your injuries and other damages.
If the at-fault party has auto insurance, you will need to prove that they’re liable because of negligence or wrongful conduct. To establish this, you have to show that they owed you a duty of care that they breached. Anyone operating a vehicle owes others on the road a duty of care to drive safely and follow all traffic laws. If they broke the law, they breached their duty of care.
Next, you have to demonstrate that their negligence led to the injuries you suffered. The injuries also have to have led you to suffer losses. If you didn’t need medical care, then you can’t get compensation.
None of this is easy to prove, especially if you’re struggling with serious injuries as well as emotional trauma. Fortunately, our skilled team of car accident lawyers can guide you through every step of the process.
However, after going through the claim process with the at-fault party, if the value of your injury claim exceeds the liability limits of the at-fault party, you still have the option of receiving compensation by filing an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance.
The first thing that you need to do is to assess yourself and others for injuries. If you’re bleeding or in severe pain, try not to move, and call emergency services.
Even if you think you’re not injured, allow medical professionals to examine you. Sometimes, the adrenaline and shock of the accident can mask pain. Not only does having a professional check you ensure your well-being, but it also allows you to begin establishing evidence of the injuries you sustained.
If the accident resulted in injuries or property damage, you will need to report it to the police. This is especially important if you’ve been in a collision with an uninsured motorist because the other party won’t do so. If they fled the scene, which is common, you need to describe the vehicle and offer as many details as possible.
It’s important to start gathering evidence. Take pictures of the vehicles involved, the road conditions, and your injuries. If there are eyewitnesses, you also need to get their contact information so that you can rely on their testimony later.
Additionally, call your insurance provider and let them know you’ve been in an accident. Keep the conversation short. Another key call to make is to our uninsured and underinsured motorist attorneys at Valley Injury Team. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started on investigating your claim.
If you file a personal injury claim, you may seek economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages focus on compensating you for losses that you can put a number to, like medical expenses and lost wages. If you will not be able to return to work because of the injuries, you can also claim loss of earning potential.
Non-economic damages are subjective and compensate you for losses that aren’t financial in nature. That includes loss of enjoyment of life if you’re not able to live as you did before the accident, as well as pain and suffering and loss of consortium.
Having uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is a valuable investment in protecting yourself against uninsured and underinsured motorists. Because each claim is unique, we can help you better understand what your claim is worth when you schedule a consultation.
If you’ve been diligently paying your auto insurance, it can be frustrating and stressful to suffer losses because of someone who hasn’t. The good news is that Arizona law allows you to file a claim to recover damages if someone without insurance or without enough insurance caused your accident.
At Valley Injury Team, our skilled personal injury lawyers can help you through the process of filing a claim. We can negotiate with insurers on your behalf so that you can focus on healing. Schedule a free consultation with us today.
If you suffered injuries in an accident due to someone else’s negligence or wrong doing, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. At Valley Injury Team, we fight tirelessly to protect your rights and seek the compensation you need. We’re proud to serve clients throughout the Phoenix area, including Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale and Queen Creek.
Valley Injury Team is committed to helping you understand your legal rights and options, reducing your stress and uncertainty, and giving you the support you need during this challenging time. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.
