Uninsured and Under-Insured Motorist Accidents in Brooklyn
All drivers in the U.S. are required to carry liability insurance. In fact, you can’t register your vehicle or obtain a license plate without proof of insurance.
Many people opt for the minimum coverage because the premiums are lower. Less money out-of-pocket each month is a good thing, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
The minimum coverage may not be enough to cover medical bills, pay for lost wages or cover other expenses you accrue after an accident.
What’s worse is that some people get insurance and only keep it long enough to register and plate their vehicles. There are no checks to determine whether someone actually keeps auto insurance on their vehicle once it’s registered.
Counting on the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
When someone causes an auto accident, their insurance company is supposed to pay for the damage to your vehicle, your medical bills and your other expenses. Remember, though, that while insurance adjusters seem friendly enough on the phone, they have one job: to pay you as little as possible for your injuries.
If the other party was underinsured (or worse, uninsured), you could find yourself on the hook for thousands of dollars in unexpected medical bills. If your injuries forced you to miss work, you could have a financial crisis on your hands.
Uninsured vs. Under-Insured: What Does it Mean to You?
You’ll likely find out right away if the driver who caused your accident is uninsured. Underinsured drivers are a little harder to identify. In fact, it’s hard to define underinsured until you know just how much your injuries, property damage and lost wages are going to cost you.
No matter what, it’s a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will contact the insurance companies and help iron out all the details. No one expects you to know all about insurance and no-fault laws; that’s why it’s wise to have an experienced Brooklyn car accident lawyer by your side.
A Word on Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Many people don’t realize that having uninsured motorist coverage on their own policies may not be much help. Depending on your insurance company, your policy might not allow this part of your coverage to go higher than what you carry for your own liability.
Many insurance companies also limit the time you have to make a claim when an under-insured or uninsured driver causes your accident. In some cases, you have as little as 30 days after the accident to file your claim. Again, an experienced personal injury attorney is your best advocate when it comes to dealing with insurance adjusters.
The Unfortunate Truth About Insurance Companies
Insurance companies make money by collecting premiums and lose money by paying claims. When more than one policy is involved, each company will often try to deny payment. Each will generally claim that it’s the other company’s responsibility to pay.
This leaves accident victims caught in the middle as expenses pile up.
Getting Your Insurance Company to Cover Your Expenses
Insurance companies have a legal obligation to handle all claims in “good faith.” Their duty is to help you; after all, that’s what you’ve been paying them to do.
Insurance adjusters aren’t always interested in paying you what you feel you deserve, though. They’re focused on helping the company’s bottom line—not your bottom line.
In most cases, it goes against your best interests to talk to insurance adjusters (even those from your own insurance company). A knowledgeable attorney is your best defense against the insurance companies and your best advocate for getting what you deserve.
Suing an Uninsured Driver in Brooklyn, New York
Every case is unique, so it can’t hurt to talk to your lawyer about whether you should attempt to sue an uninsured driver. In many cases, you’ll need to get your own insurance company to pay for the damage an uninsured driver has caused. However, your best source for information will be your attorney; he or she will help you understand New York laws and outline a good course of action for your case.
Insurance is More Complicated than Most People Think
If you’re like most of us, you assume that the money you pay your insurance company each month will guarantee that the company will come to your rescue when you need them. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. The laws surrounding insurance companies’ requirements change frequently and their tactics to improve their bottom lines adapt.
These variables can become very confusing. When you’re injured and in pain, trying to figure out how you’re going to cover all of your costs—especially if you’re missing work as the bills pile up—trying to figure out insurance payments is pretty overwhelming. With a caring and capable personal injury attorney by your side, you can get back to focusing on what’s most important: your recovery.