Columbus Uninsured & Underinsured Accident Attorney
In Ohio, every automobile driver is required to maintain a minimum insurance liability coverage of $25,000 in bodily injury or death for one person, $50,000 in bodily injury for a single accident, and $25,000 in property damage. But what happens if the at-fault driver’s liability insurance coverage is not enough to compensate you for your losses? Worse yet, what if the at-fault driver does not have any liability insurance? Unless you have uninsured motorist (“UM”) or underinsured motorist coverage (“UIM”), depending on the facts of the accident, you may be required to pay for those losses out-of-pocket.
UM and UIM are types of optional automobile insurance coverages that cover your unpaid medical expenses, lost wages, and otherwise compensate you for your injuries in situations where you are involved in an accident with an at-fault driver who is either uninsured or underinsured.
If you have been injured in an auto accident or other motor vehicle accident that was caused by the negligence of an uninsured or underinsured motorist, contact the law office of Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A. to discuss your potential claims. Our Columbus underinsured accident attorneyss provide expert legal assistance and can help you navigate through the complexities of your insurance policies.
Why Should You Have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Auto accidents resulting in serious injuries can create a need for funds to cover for medical and other related expenses. Typically, if you are involved in an accident in which you are not at-fault, you would submit a claim to the at-fault driver’s auto insurance carrier.
The problem arises when the at-fault driver either does not have insurance (uninsured) or such insurance is insufficient to cover your damages (underinsured). In those situations, you could be responsible for your own bills even though the accident was someone else’s fault. Therefore, maintaining adequate uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage beyond health insurance is recommended as it will provide coverage for bills and other damages you may incur as a result of an auto accident.
What Does it Mean to Be Underinsured?
In Ohio, an “underinsured motorist” is one who has less insurance coverage than the motorist who was not at-fault (e.g., if the at-fault driver has a $50,000 policy limit and the other, not-at-fault, motorist has $100,000 in UIM coverage). Conversely, if the at-fault driver has the same amount, or a higher, coverage than the other driver, the at-fault vehicle would not be considered “underinsured.” In this last scenario, the other, not-at-fault, driver, would not be able to access UIM coverage.
Importantly, underinsured motorists ‘claims do not just apply to car accidents. Often, depending on the language and coverage limits of your own auto policy, you may also be able to make a claim for underinsured motorist coverage in:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
If you have been injured as a result of a motor vehicle, call our Columbus underinsured motorist attorneys to discuss the types of claims and damages that you may be able to pursue.
Contact our Columbus Underinsured Accident Lawyers to Discuss Your Potential Claims
If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle collision and need help overcoming the challenges associated with uninsured/underinsured bodily injury claims, our experienced underinsured motorist lawyers at Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A. can help. To discuss your case with a trusted and respected Columbus uninsured/underinsured accident attorney, please contact us at (614) 221-4035.
