Being involved in a car accident is already a stressful and overwhelming experience. The situation can become more confusing when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance coverage or flees the scene before you can identify them. You will need a knowledgeable uninsured motorist lawyer to protect your rights.
Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, offers more than 55 years of combined legal experience. We understand how important it is for you to have the financial resources to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. Let us fight for every dollar you deserve while you focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Hartford uninsured motorist lawyer.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance provides a safety net when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance to cover your losses after a car accident. It ensures that you are not left financially vulnerable after an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. With UM insurance, you can receive compensation for medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and lost wages rather than paying out of pocket.
In addition, UM insurance can protect you in situations where you cannot identify the responsible party, or in “hit-and-run accidents.” This coverage’s protection can be crucial for hit-and-crash victims and their families. After all, in many hit-and-run cases, drivers without UM insurance cannot seek full and fair compensation.
Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers are more common than you might expect. With this coverage, you should not have to bear the financial burden of an accident alone. If you are still determining whether you have sufficient UM or UIM coverage, review your policy and consult an experienced attorney at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, to understand how these protections can apply in your case.
Benefits of Hiring a Hartford Uninsured Motorist Lawyer
Dealing with uninsured motorist claims and with the insurance company can be complicated. Auto insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. A Hartford uninsured motorist lawyer from Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, offers you several benefits, including:
- Review your insurance coverage to determine which benefits you could receive.
- Investigating the accident to collect evidence and obtain proof of injury.
- Identifying additional potential liable parties, such as the at-fault driver’s employer, if the driver caused the crash while carrying on company business, such as a truck driver or local delivery driver.
- Negotiating with the insurance company to seek the maximum amount of compensation.
- Protecting your rights while you focus on recovery.
At Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, our attorneys bring decades of knowledge to every case, including those involving uninsured motorists. While we are proud of our many awards, our most tremendous success comes from helping clients seek the results they deserve after a car accident caused by another driver, including:
- $800,000 for a car accident victim
- $655,000 for another collision
- $525,000 for a motor vehicle crash.
Why Do People Drive Without Insurance Coverage?
Despite Connecticut’s mandatory auto insurance laws, many drivers do not carry the required coverage. Several reasons may exist for this high rate of uninsured and underinsured motorists. Some drivers:
- Cannot afford insurance premiums, so their coverage lapses.
- Can afford to get auto insurance but simply disregard the law.
- Unknowingly allow their liability coverage to expire due to missed notices and/or payments.
Unfortunately, a driver’s lack of mandatory auto insurance puts responsible drivers like you at risk. While you cannot always prevent an accident with an uninsured motorist, you can work with an experienced lawyer to help you pursue just compensation.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work?
Uninsured motorist coverage helps protect you when the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance or leaves the scene in a hit-and-run. While it provides a safety net, the process isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies often try to minimize what they pay out. Here’s how the process works and how an attorney can help.
- File a claim with your insurer — Notify your insurance company about the accident and provide all necessary details. Even though it’s your policy, the insurer may challenge your claim or downplay the severity of your losses, including the extent of medical expenses you have incurred.
- Prove the uninsured driver’s fault — You will need strong evidence to establish liability and the extent of your harm, such as police reports, photos, witness statements, medical records, and records of any medical payments. This evidence supports your case. However, even your own insurance carrier may still question the value of your claim.
- Seek compensation — Your uninsured motorist coverage should help with medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, insurers often try to settle for less than a claimant deserves.
What Are the Minimum Insurance Requirements for Connecticut?
To drive legally in Connecticut, you must carry auto insurance, which has the following minimum liability limits:
- Bodily Injury Liability — $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident minimum liability limits
- Property Damage Liability — $25,000 per accident liability limit
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist — $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident liability limits.
Driving without mandatory auto insurance in Connecticut can lead to severe penalties, including:
- Financial liability resulting from an accident
- Fines from $100 to $1,000 for driving without insurance
- Fines up to $500 for failing to maintain coverage
- Up to three months in jail
- License suspension for up to six months if multiple offenses
- Vehicle impoundment
- Reinstatement fees for license and registration.
What Should I Do If I Am Hit by an Uninsured Motorist?
If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, take the following steps to protect your legal right to pursue full and fair compensation:
- Call the police so they can file an official accident report.
- Seek medical attention to establish an evaluation by a healthcare professional and ensure you get timely treatment for your injuries.
- Take photos of the accident scene and get eyewitness names and contact information.
- Keep track of all your medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and all other related medical costs.
- Contact your insurance company to report the collision.
- Talk to a Hartford uninsured motorist lawyer who can help you pursue maximum compensation for the harm you have suffered.
Can I Receive Compensation If the Accident Involved a Hit-and-Run Driver?
You can still seek compensation after a hit-and-run accident through your required uninsured motorist coverage. However, insurance companies try to pay as little as possible. You can improve your chances of collecting a payout if you:
- Focus on your recovery and stick to your healthcare provider’s recommended course of treatment.
- Delay making a statement to an insurance company representative until you speak with an attorney.
- Avoid social media, and if you continue to engage in social media use, avoid discussing or commenting about the crash.
- Allow your attorney to negotiate with the insurance company. They are more knowledgeable about the process and will aggressively pursue every dollar you might recover.
Contact a Hartford Uninsured Motorist Lawyer Today
You could recover compensation if an uninsured motorist, underinsured, or a hit-and-run driver injures you. At Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, we understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll these accidents can take. With more than 55 years of combined legal experience, our team is ready to fight for your rights and demand the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are prepared to review your insurance policy and help you on the path to recovery.
