What If The Other Driver Is Uninsured Or Underinsured?
Although state law says all drivers must carry accident insurance, in reality many drivers do not. Also, many drivers are insured only for the minimum coverage. What happens if you are injured in a crash caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver?
The attorneys of Turbin Chu Heidt regularly deal with these scenarios. Our attorneys can help you recover compensation even if the negligent party has insufficient insurance to cover your losses.
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We handle motor vehicle accidents in Honolulu and throughout Oahu. Call 808-796-5685 to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Normally, the at-fault driver’s insurance covers car accident losses. However, under certain scenarios, the compensation may come from your own auto insurance policy:
- Driver has no insurance — About 1 in 11 Hawaiian drivers do not have auto insurance. You likely have a UM/UIM provision under your insurance. Your carrier pays your damages if you were hit by an uninsured motorist, up to the limits of your policy.
- Driver has low coverage — In a crash with serious or permanent injuries, or in a crash with multiple victims, the negligent driver’s insurance may not cover all the losses. Your underinsured motorist coverage pays the difference.
- Driver flees the scene — A hit-and-run accident is treated like an uninsured driver. Your insurer pays your damages if the driver who fled is not identified.
How Our Lawyers Can Help
In 40 years of personal injury practice in Hawaii, our attorneys have secured many recoveries in motor vehicle accident cases involving uninsured/underinsured motorist claims. Even if you have faithfully paid your premiums, the insurance companies often resist these claims — denying coverage, delaying payment or offering less than full value. Without legal help, the average person is likely to get “shot down” when filing a UM/UIM claim.
We know the law regarding uninsured/underinsured claims and how to hold insurance companies accountable, up to the policy limits. If necessary, we are prepared to go to court to get justice for clients who have been badly injured through no fault of their own.
Contact Us For A Free Consultation
A car accident is always traumatic. It’s even more stressful to learn that your crash was caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Let us deal with the insurance companies and legal matters so you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. Call 808-796-5685 to arrange an appointment or fill out our online form and we will get back to you soon!