Uninsured Motorist Claims
Oklahoma laws require all motorists to carry auto insurance policies in case they get into a car accident. Unfortunately, too many drivers in Oklahoma City are driving without liability insurance or do not have enough auto insurance to cover severe personal injuries that might occur in a serious car accident. If an underinsured or uninsured motorist crashes into your vehicle, your insurance policy may have uninsured motorist limits that will help you pay for your damages and injuries. However, no matter what kind of a car accident you experience, it is key to have an experienced car accident lawyer by your side.
Uninsured or Underinsured?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage provides you compensation if you, your children, or anyone else who was riding in your car was injured by the at-fault driver who is not carrying an auto insurance policy. If you suffer injuries in a car accident and the other driver does have an insurance policy, but only carries the minimum limits, which do not cover the expenses your injuries have incurred, then you can turn to your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. UIM provides compensation for your medical bills, any loss of wages, and other damages you may have sustained.
When Claims Are Not Paid Fairly
Unless you specifically rejected coverage when you applied for your insurance policy, you most likely have both UIM and UM coverage. However, it is typical for victims of car accidents to find out that even with UIM and UM coverage, they do not receive anywhere near the amount of compensation they need to cover their losses. This is because insurance agencies do not make money by paying out claims.
Oklahoma City Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Requirements
Oklahoma City motorists are required to carry the mandatory minimums of:
- $25,000 per person of bodily injury liability insurance protection;
- $50,000 of liability insurance protection per accident; and
- $25,000 of liability insurance protection for damage to another person’s property.
These minimums could easily be exhausted by severe or catastrophic injuries from a serious car accident. In fact, they may not even cover less severe injuries; indeed, $25,000 does not make it very far in the medical industry. Medical bills can pile up quickly, especially if the injuries require a visit to the emergency room, and multiple rechecks at a doctor’s office.
Oklahomans the Worst for Driving Uninsured
Automobile insurance is supposed to protect people when they are involved in an accident. Unfortunately, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), approximately one in every eight drivers is driving without insurance nationwide in 2012, and Oklahoma had the highest percentage of uninsured drivers, at 26 percent, based on the amount of uninsured motorist claims that were filed by injured victims that year. That equates to more than one out of four drivers who were operating their vehicles without insurance.
There are the drivers who get an auto insurance policy when they need to renew their driver’s license or their vehicle license plates and then they let their insurance lapse, hoping that they do not get caught. People who do not have auto liability insurance policies, but still drive on the roads of Oklahoma, create a major dilemma for the rest of us. Although you can purchase UIM and UM coverage, your vehicle damages still may not be covered. You may still need coverage for property damage.
Oklahoma City Personal Injury Lawyer
Any car accident involving significant damage and serious injuries is a stressful event. As the non-negligent party, the stress following a collision only increases when you learn that the driver at fault did not have car insurance or had inadequate coverage. If you own a vehicle and have uninsured motorist coverage or are covered under someone else’s policy, you may have options for collecting compensation to pay for:
- Hospital bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages from missing work
- Pain and suffering
At Owens Law Office, PC, we approach every case we take as an opportunity to help someone when he or she needs it the most.
Uninsured motorist coverage is the most important type of coverage a driver can have. If you were injured by an uninsured motorist and do not have coverage on your own policy, you might be covered through a family member or the driver of the vehicle in which you were a passenger.
Rules on Uninsured Motorist Accident Claims
There are strict rules and procedures regarding uninsured or underinsured motorist claims. Having a qualified Oklahoma City lawyer for uninsured motorist claims working for you can take the stress and uncertainty out of the process. Whether you are in Oklahoma City, Tulsa or anywhere else in the state, we can work directly with your insurance companies — letting you and your family focus on recovering and resuming your normal life.
Owens Law Office, PC, Can Help You Collect | Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, it is in your best interest to speak with the uninsured car accident attorneys at Owens Law Office, PC to ensure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries and damages.
A knowledgeable and skilled uninsured and underinsured car accident lawyer can help you identify alternative sources to obtain compensation. We investigate our clients’ automobile insurance claims thoroughly and negotiate with insurance companies diligently to ensure that each and every one of our clients obtain the maximum amount of compensation for their damages and injuries.
Navigating the insurance claim system alone can be difficult. Don’t try to do it alone. Turn to experienced attorney Phillip P. Owens II for assistance getting fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Contact us online or call (405) 608-0708 for a consultation to discuss your case options for filing an uninsured motorist claim.