Mesa Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Attorneys

Uninsured Vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are benefits that can be payable to you by your insurance company in the event that you’re injured by a driver who lacks the coverage you need. The main difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is whether the driver who caused your injuries has the auto insurance to cover damages after an accident. If the driver has no insurance, you can file a claim with your insurance company through UM coverage. If the driver has insurance, but it’s not enough to cover the full extent of your damages, you may have to file two claims: one against the driver, and one with your own insurer. This means that if the total cost of your damages is $40,000 and the driver who injured you is only covered for $25,000, then your insurance can cover you for the remaining $15,000. In order to obtain compensation from UIM coverage, your damages must be higher than the limits in the at-fault driver’s policy, and you must have purchased more UIM coverage than the driver’s liability insurance limits. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage provides the same protections and can cover the following damages:

• Medical expenses for injuries
• Loss of income
• Funeral or burial costs, if the injured individual passed away
• Costs of treating emotional and mental issues

Both types of insurance cover motorists and usually pedestrians and bicyclists who are injured in accidents. Uninsured motorist coverage is usually accessed after a hit and run accident, as the driver can’t be located and held accountable.

What Are Arizona’s Liability Insurance Requirements?

Arizona law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, though unfortunately many drivers don’t comply with this, or they have limited coverage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 12 percent of drivers in the state are uninsured. As of July 2020, Arizona’s minimum required policy structure includes:

• $15,000 per accident for property damage
• $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death
• $50,000 per accident for total bodily injury or death

If motorists are caught operating vehicles without having the minimum insurance required, they can face penalties such as license suspension, suspension of vehicle registration plates, and a $500 to $1,000 fine.

What to Do After an Accident

After a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention if you’re injured. Injuries can range in severity and include abrasions, whiplash, broken and crushed bones, loss of limbs, spinal cord and neck injuries, brain and head injuries, and more. However, some injuries aren’t obvious immediately following your accident and can appear over the following days and weeks – it’s important that you get checked by a doctor even if you think your injuries are minor. Once you’ve been diagnosed and treated, you should hold onto your medical records and receipts and then call our firm for a free consultation. Having a lawyer to handle your case means you don’t need to worry about doing extra work to gather evidence – we can do this and much more. Our attorneys can communicate with your insurance provider and examine your policy to determine if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. We can also handle all communication with your insurance provider and can ensure that adjusters don’t undermine your claim or give you any less than what you deserve. Our team can work tirelessly to obtain the coverage you need to pay your medical bills and make sure you get the treatment you need. We can also file your claims in a timely manner, as individuals have three years from the date of injury to file a UM/UIM claim in Arizona.