Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists

A car crash has left you with one expense after another. You’ve got medical bills and car repair payments to cover. The total expense amounts in the thousands, maybe even more! There is no way you can pay it all off without putting a significant dent in your finances. Thankfully, you can depend on the other driver’s insurance company to cough up your compensation, right?

But what if the other driver has little to no insurance coverage? Are you going to have to pay out of your own pocket for an accident that wasn’t your fault? Not necessarily. Even if the at-fault driver has inadequate insurance, you may still get ample coverage for your damages.

Want to learn more? Contact us today or call (301) 932-9997 the experienced Maryland uninsured/underinsured motorist attorneys at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers for more information on how you can get the compensation you need after an accident, whatever the case may be. Not only can we answer your questions and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your legal options, but we can also give you the quality representation you need to achieve the means for recovery.

The Definitions of Uninsured & Underinsured

The Definitions of Uninsured & Underinsured
  • Underinsured – A driver who has insurance that meets legal requirements, but does not have limits great enough to cover the damages caused by the accident.
  • Uninsured – A driver with no insurance or insurance that does not meet the legal standards. A hit-and-run crash is also considered an “uninsured” accident whether or not bodily injury is involved.

Your Coverage

In Maryland, it is a legal requirement that you carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per incident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your motor vehicle policy. It is also required in Maryland that the amount of underinsured/underinsured motorist coverage you carry must match the amount of liability coverage provided under your policy. If you are injured by an uninsured motorist there are steps you must take in order to utilize the uninsured/underinsured motorist’s coverage available through your policy.

First and foremost it will be necessary to prove that the other driver is legally responsible for the crash and that the other driver is underinsured or uninsured. An auto collision attorney can help you prove liability and can deal with your insurance company for you.

The amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist’s coverage available to you in the event you are injured by an at-fault uninsured/underinsured driver is limited by the amount you purchase. If you pay for a higher coverage amount, you will have up to the amount of coverage you purchased available to compensate you for the injuries and damages you suffered if you are injured by an at-fault driver with inadequate insurance.

Maryland Auto Insurance Requirements

Under Maryland law, all motor vehicle operators must carry a minimum amount of vehicle liability insurance coverage, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage (which may be waived under certain circumstances), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to financially protect themselves and others after a traffic collision.

Liability Insurance

Vehicle liability insurance covers the policy holder in the event that they cause bodily injury or property damage as the result of negligent driving. Maryland requires a minimum liability coverage amount of 30/60/15, or $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident and $15,000 for property damage per accident.

PIP

PIP (Personal Injury Protection) is no-fault insurance coverage provided under your auto policy that can provide compensation for initial losses suffered by you or any injured passengers in your vehicle. The losses covered by PIP usually include medical expenses, short term lost wages, and funeral expenses. PIP usually covers up to $2,500 per person, although higher amounts can be purchased from your insurance company.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Maryland, unlike some states, requires that every driver carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to financially protect themselves in case they are injured in a traffic accident caused by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance. The minimum uninsured motorist coverage limits are the same as those for liability insurance: 30/60/15.

Car Accidents

Maryland Uninsured Motorist Penalties

According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), approximately one in seven U.S. drivers is uninsured. In 2009, the IRC estimated that 15 percent of all motorists in Maryland did not have any type of auto insurance coverage. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in Maryland without the minimum required insurance coverage amounts.

The penalties for doing so may include:

  • Losing license plates and vehicle registration privileges
  • Paying a maximum restoration fee of $25 for a vehicle’s registration
  • Paying uninsured penalty fees of $150 for the first 30 days of insurance lapse and $7 for each day after that
  • Being prohibited from registering any vehicle until the violations are resolved
  • Being prohibited from renewing a suspended registration until violations are resolved
  • Having license plates confiscated
  • Paying a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or serving one year in prison for providing false proof of insurance

Better Safe Than Sorry

You probably already have automobile insurance for two reasons: it’s legally required and it’s there for you in case of a crash. It’s always best to be protected just in case. The same goes for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

You can’t predict if you are going to be in a crash and you certainly can’t know if that collision will involve an uninsured or underinsured driver. The resulting costs of a car collision can add up fast. You may have car repairs, medical bills, rehabilitation fees, and time away from work. All of these things may be considered for compensation if you are covered. Why leave your financial future up to chance?

If you are in an accident and the driver at fault does not have insurance and you do not have adequate underinsured/uninsured coverage, your only recourse may be to go after the driver personally by filing a civil suit. If the driver at fault doesn’t have any financial resources, you will get little to no compensation. Your underinsured/uninsured coverage acts as a safeguard against this potential danger.

Dealing with insurance companies and the legal system can be complicated and confusing. Having an auto injury lawyer by your side can help get you the compensation you rightfully deserve. At Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers, we know how to work with your insurance company to help cover your accident-related costs.

We have six convenient locations in Maryland, so please contact or call us for a free case evaluation today.