Chicago Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Attorney
Illinois law requires drivers to maintain minimum insurance policy limits. Sadly, some motorists are either uninsured or have no adequate insurance to cover the damages arising from their negligence. The lack of coverage of these motorists can have devastating consequences, especially if you’re the one on the road. The last thing you want to happen is to shell out cash for your medical bills after getting into an accident caused by the negligence or recklessness of another person.
The good news is that you have options when you’re facing this situation. The Chicago car accident lawyers from Taxman, Pollock & Bekkerman are ready to discuss these options with you. We have the experience necessary to handle UM/UIM cases. Contact our dedicated uninsured and underinsured motorist attorneys today at (312) 586-1700 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Taxman, Pollock & Bekkerman to Help With Your UM/UIM Claim in Chicago
While Illinois law demands insurance companies include uninsured coverage and offer underinsured options to drivers, dealing with these providers is never simple. Even if you have this coverage, insurance firms will look for reasons to disapprove your claims. You’ll likely have to fight hard to obtain the compensation you deserve. Additionally, you need an experienced uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyer in Chicago who can check your policy carefully and determine your coverage.
Our firm makes sure that your insurance provider lives up to its promises. Our uninsured and underinsured motorist attorneys know the UM/UIM processes and are familiar with the steps to dispute a denied claim. They have successfully helped motorist accident victims get the compensation they deserve after an accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver.
Additionally, our uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers have the skills to locate other liable parties that can pay for your treatment in case of a serious accident. Sometimes, a driver that appears uninsured on the police report can have adequate insurance through their employer because the accident occurred in the course of their employment. If this is the case, you have the option to sue the driver and his/her company.
When our legal team gets to work, we do the following:
- Conduct in-depth investigations of the accident
- Analyze and preserve valuable evidence
- Obtain your medical records to determine your injuries and future health problems
- Work with qualified experts to maximize your case
We set up our law firm to represent victims of severe car crashes involving UM/UIM drivers in Chicago. Our uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers understand the financial, emotional, and physical difficulties caused by these accidents. You can rely on them to rebuild your life and provide you with the legal representation you need.
Is UM/UIM Insurance Required in Illinois?
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance are two types of coverage that can pay for medical bills (and sometimes property damage) when the at-fault driver in a car accident does not have adequate insurance. They can also pay for the policyholder’s damages after a hit-and-run accident.
Currently, Illinois requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist insurance with a limit of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage. Additionally, drivers are required to maintain a minimum requirement of $20,000 for property damage liability.
Even if the motorist is underinsured or lacks any form of insurance, you could still file an insurance claim with your own insurance company. Your insurance company may have to pay the full cost for the injuries you’ve sustained, along with other damages. This option, however, is only available if you’ve bought UM/UIM coverage.
What Underinsured Motorist Coverage Does for You
Underinsured motorist coverage is incredibly valuable, though many individuals choose not to carry this insurance. We strongly encourage you to review your insurance policy today and examine whether or not you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
In the event you or a loved one is injured or sustains property damage in an accident caused by another driver, your injury and property damage expenses may quickly rise above the state’s minimum legal requirements. For example, if you have to be rushed to the emergency room for a suspected head or neck injury, the emergency bills alone for one night can reach the $25,000 minimum per person that the other driver likely has. Additionally, suppose you are driving a new vehicle that sustains extensive property damage. It is not difficult to go above $20,000 in property damage.
If you have underinsured motorist coverage, you can turn to your own insurance carrier for compensation if the at-fault driver’s minimums are not adequate. For example, if you sustain $35,000 worth of bills due to an accident caused by another driver, but the other driver only has the minimum of $25,000 per person, your underinsured motorist coverage would kick in to pay the gap of $10,000 between the two amounts.
How to Use Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance
If you get involved in a Chicago car accident and find out that the other driver is unlawfully driving without insurance, take the following steps to protect your rights and start building your first-party insurance claim:
- Report the car accident to the police immediately. A police report noting that the other driver does not have adequate insurance can be used as key evidence during your claim.
- Seek medical attention without delay. Get medical care for your injuries and keep copies of your health care records to submit with your claim.
- Contact your own car insurance company. Call to file a UM claim, explaining that the other driver does not have insurance.
- Provide documentation. An insurance claim typically requires supporting evidence, such as a police report, medical records, witness statements, and photos of the accident scene.
Your insurer will walk you through the steps of filing an uninsured motorist claim and explain your coverage. UM insurance may be able to cover your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses in the event of wrongful death, depending on your policy.
Do I Need to Hire an Attorney for My Chicago Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Accident?
If you get hurt in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, an lawyer in Chicago can provide valuable advice and assistance throughout the recovery process. Your uninsured and underinsured motorist attorney can collect evidence, file a claim with your insurance provider on your behalf, and take over settlement negotiations to ensure a fair case outcome.
Dealing with medical treatments, pain and stress, vehicle repairs, and disruptions to your work can be difficult enough. If your claim involves challenges, your Chicago uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyer can help you overcome them. They’ll maximize your financial outcome as much as possible for an uninsured motorist collision while you focus your energy on recovery.
Important Deadlines to Know
Act quickly when filing a claim after an uninsured or underinsured motorist accident in Chicago. Under Illinois’s statute of limitations (735 Illinois Code of Civil Procedure 5, Section 13-202), you have no more than two years from the date of the crash to bring a personal injury cause of action against the at-fault party.
In addition, most automobile insurance companies have tight deadlines for filing. Check your insurance policy for any relevant time limits and always file your UM/UIM claim as soon as possible – ideally within 24 to 72 hours of the accident. Your insurer will then have 15 working days to respond to your claim.
Contact a Chicago Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered from an injury in an auto crash and believe that the erring motorist does not have adequate insurance, come to us. We have Chicago auto accident attorneys who know how to get results. Call (312) 586-1700 or complete our online contact form to speak with one of our dedicated uninsured and underinsured motorist lawyers today.