An accident with an insured driver can be stressful enough, but what happens if the at-fault motorist does not have insurance? According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly 13 percent of U.S. motorists are uninsured. That comes out to roughly one in eight drivers. In Tennessee, that number is much higher – almost 24 percent.

With so many uninsured motorists on the road, it is crucial to protect yourself by purchasing uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, known as UM and UIM. UM, and UIM coverage pays for losses if you are hit by a motorist without insurance or without sufficient insurance.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, contact one of the dedicated UM/UIM coverage attorneys at The Terry Law Firm today. Our Tennessee attorneys are ready to review your case, help you file your claim, and help you seek the compensation you need to recover.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Seeking Compensation for Injuries Caused by an Uninsured Driver

If you were involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you might be able to file a claim for compensation under your own auto insurance policy if it includes UM/UIM coverage.

UM/UIM policies can cover the cost of expenses related to the accident, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Vehicle damage

Ordinarily, in Tennessee, which is a fault state, you would file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. But when the driver doesn’t have insurance, or you were involved in a hit-and-run in which the perpetrator can’t be tracked down, you will need to file a claim with your own UM/UIM policy.

If the at-fault driver has insurance, but the policy’s limits are too low to cover all of your losses, you might be able to turn to your auto policy’s UIM provisions to recover the excess.

What Is UM/UIM Coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) offers you protection if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver who cannot be found.

Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) offers you protection if you are involved in an accident caused by a driver with a limited insurance policy that does not fully cover your damages from the accident.

In addition to providing coverage if you are in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, UM/UIM coverage may be applicable in circumstances such as:

  • Multi-vehicle crashes – Multi-vehicle accidents generally refer to crashes that involve at least three (or more) vehicles. Due to the higher number of potential victims and the increased vehicle damage, any compensation that you receive from an at-fault motorist may have to be divided among more individuals, leaving you with less than you need to recover your financial losses. If this happens, UIM coverage could come into play to cover the remainder of the cost, up to your policy limit.
  • Hit-and-run accidents – Hit-and-run accidents can be particularly frustrating. If you cannot locate the hit-and-run driver, they are technically considered an uninsured motorist. In this case, you would need to turn to your own UM policy to cover damages up to your policy limit.
  • Expensive hospital bills – If you were involved in an accident and sustained severe or life-threatening injuries, then the at-fault driver’s policy may not be sufficient to cover all of your medical expenses. In this situation, you could turn to your UIM policy for extra coverage.
  • Extensive property damage – If your vehicle was severely damaged, it is possible that the at-fault motorist’s policy won’t fully cover the damage to your car. In that case, you may wish to turn to your own UIM policy to pay for the remainder of expenses related to vehicle damage.

Insurance Coverage for Uninsured Motorists

In Tennessee, insurance companies must offer drivers uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. UM/UIM policyholders will generally have at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage for two or more people, and $15,000 in property damage coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage will typically cover:

  • Any injuries sustained if you were in an accident in your vehicle
  • Injuries you sustained while driving or riding in someone else’s vehicle
  • Injuries you sustained as a pedestrian or bicyclist
  • Injuries a family member sustained while driving or riding in your vehicle
  • Injuries sustained by others who were driving or riding in your vehicle

Why You Need a Lawyer to Help with a UM Claim

If you were involved in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist, it’s important to consult with a lawyer to help guide you through the claim process. Our firm can investigate the accident and determine if the at-fault motorist has assets that could be used to compensate you for the damages they caused. If not, we can help you navigate the process of filing a claim with your own UM/UIM insurance policy.

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that use certain tactics to try and reduce or deny legitimate claims. This fact doesn’t change when dealing with “your” insurance company in a UM/UIM claim. You need a lawyer who will fight back and aggressively pursue the full compensation you are entitled to.

What to Do After an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist

After an accident with an uninsured motorist, you should take the following steps as soon as possible:

  • Seek medical attention immediately.
  • Take photos and videos at the scene, as these can later be used as evidence of what occurred.
  • Get a copy of the police report.
  • Collect documents including medical documents, hospital bills, physical therapy bills, prescription receipts, and records of other expenses.
  • Keep a journal where you detail the impact your pain, disabilities, and recovery process have on your daily life.
  • Consult with an attorney as soon as possible so you can craft a winning strategy to secure the compensation you need.
  • File a claim with your insurance company after consulting with your attorney.

How Our Lawyers Can Help With Your UM Motorist Claim

At The Terry Law Firm, we have the knowledge and resources needed to advise you about your legal options and help you seek the compensation you need from UM/UIM coverage. Our seasoned team is ready to:

  • Move quickly to gather and preserve vital evidence in your case, demonstrating what happened and who caused the accident.
  • Collect documents, including the police report, your medical records, and other necessary documentation in your case.
  • Interview bystanders who may have witnessed the accident to help determine fault.
  • Consult with crash reconstruction experts and other experts that could provide valuable insight into the accident.
  • File a claim on your behalf and enter into negotiations with the insurance company that provides your UM/UIM insurance coverage.
  • Exhaust every option as we pursue the total amount of compensation you need to recover.

Trying to navigate the claim process on your own while recovering from your injuries can be overwhelming. Let us take that burden off your shoulders.

Contact Our Morristown UM Accident Lawyers Today

If you have been injured in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, don’t wait to get in touch with the UM/UIM accident attorneys at The Terry Law Firm today.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to help.