Getting into any car accident can be painful and expensive. Getting into a Michigan auto accident with an underinsured motorist or uninsured motorist can be financially devastating. That won’t be the only struggle you will face, however. Insurance companies that are designed to protect their enrollees’ interests could put up a fight over the compensation you are owed, and you may find yourself needing the help of a Michigan car accident lawyer.
Understanding Underinsured Motorist Coverage
In Michigan, car owners are required to hold a no-fault auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, not everyone follows the law.
There are thousands of underinsured drivers in Michigan. If you get into an accident with one of them, you are likely to discover that they don’t have enough liability coverage to afford your injuries.
Your personal underinsured motorist coverage should protect you against these irresponsible drivers, essentially acting as the coverage that the other drive should have. Underinsured motorist coverage is also intended to help motorists who are involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Your uninsured motorist insurance will be in effect if the at-fault driver in your car accident does not have liability insurance of any sort. Your insurance is intended to take care of any costs or losses that are the result of your car accident, specifically bodily injury, medical expenses, lost wages, passenger injuries, and property damage.
Like underinsured motorist coverage, your uninsured motorist coverage is designed to take the place of the insurance the at-fault driver is supposed to carry. And like the underinsured driver, if you get into a crash with an uninsured driver, you’re on the hook for the whole financial fallout.
The most common uninsured motorist claims are for hit-and-run accidents. Even if the person who is at-fault is injured or their car is badly damaged, they are more likely to take off after the incident if they have no insurance coverage.
Insurance Problems After a Car Accident with an Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist
Protecting yourself in case of a car accident is critical if you don’t want to find yourself in financial dire straits. Because underinsured and uninsured drivers usually can’t afford the full amount of insurance they’re supposed to carry, your likelihood of getting financial compensation from them through a judgment is slim.
Your no-fault auto insurance covers medical expenses, no matter who is at fault, but there could be other financial problems – disability, disfigurement, long-term wage loss, and pain and suffering. How do you get financial support if the person you were in the accident with can’t turn to their insurance company to cover your problems?
Then, you will turn to your insurance company to get help for the excess amounts of damages and medical expenses. Unfortunately, you may find yourself going to battle with your insurance company even though you have underinsured and uninsured insurance.
Get Legal Support After a Michigan Car Accident
The support and expertise of an experienced Michigan car accident attorney is your route to the fairest and highest amount of compensation for your situation. The stress and fallout of a car crash can have you agreeing to anything the insurance company says so you can get a check, quickly. But you can’t go back to renegotiate the terms when you later realize you should have gotten more financial help.
Contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today to schedule your consultation.
