Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance -
What is it and do you need it?

UM insurance, or uninsured motorist insurance, protects you, your family and your property if an uninsured driver crashes into you and is at fault for causing the accident.

Unfortunately, many people do not know that they do not have UM coverage. Or, financial limitations cause them to cut or drop their uninsured motorist coverage. This “luck of the dice” gamble that one will not need it can backfire in costly, even devastating financial losses. An average rear-end auto accident can lead to needed medical treatment and or property damage.

In my 27 years as a lawyer, I have seen the terrible financial burden and debt that a car accident can cause. Lawyers For The Injured knows the importance of having good UM coverage. This coverage is often less than $15.00 a month and it is an investment worth it’s weight in gold.

Personal Injury attorneys DO NOT work for insurance companies, they work for you. Our job is to convince the insurance company to give the best possible settlement for you and your family. That however becomes a closed door with no options if you have no UM coverage.

If you are injured by an uninsured motorist, it is highly improbable that they will have the money or assets to pay for your medical bills. Paying more for UM coverage ensures that you and your family will have the coverage you need for medical treatment and subsequent bills. Some statistics show that in many states, between 10-15% of drivers have NO INSURANCE at all.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) - This covers you if you are in an accident with a driver who does not have any enough liability insurance, or is underinsured, and cannot compensate the full value of your bodily injury claim. You salesperson at your insurance company must offer you this coverage. If you choose not to buy it, you must sign a form, called a waiver. The form says you were offered the coverage and turned it down. You are entitled to seek the overage of your own UIM coverage only after the third party who caused the accident has paid you the entire policy limits of their insurance coverage. (Example: If the person at fault has $15,000 policy limits, and you have $30,000 UIM limits, you are only entitled to the remaining $15,000, since your carrier will deduct the credit from the first pay-out .) (The California Automobile Insurance Information Guide). It is worth it to buy UM and UIM automobile insurance coverage.

If you have been in an accident, call the Claremont personal injury attorney at
(909) 482-0384. Lawyers For the Injured is a personal injury law firm in Los Angeles County, California. If you have been injured in a car accident, the law firm with represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay until we win. Call for a free consultation with no obligation. Get answers.