Cleveland Car Accident Lawyer Assisting with Underinsured Motorist Claims
Motor vehicle crashes can be shocking and horrific. In just a few seconds, you can go from driving carefully toward your destination to being involved in a devastating crash with a negligent motorist who ran a red light or decided to text while driving. For most people who are injured in a collision that also involves significant property damage to an automobile, the first step for seeking compensation is to file an auto insurance claim. Many injured motorists will start with a third-party insurance claim, meaning that they will file a claim through the at-fault driver’s auto insurance. Yet, sometimes, you might decide to file a first-party auto insurance claim through your own auto insurer to get the case moving more quickly and because you have additional coverage that the at-fault driver does not have.
When standard liability coverage is insufficient to compensate you for the full amount of your losses, you might be able to turn to underinsured motorist coverage to seek the financial compensation you deserve. As an experienced Cleveland motor vehicle accident lawyer, who routinely assists injury victims with auto insurance claims and car accidents lawsuits, and I can speak with you today about your case.
What is Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Cleveland, OH?
Under Ohio law, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM coverage) is one type of add-on that a driver can pay extra to include with his or her auto insurance. It is similar to, but different from, uninsured motorist coverage (UM coverage). To be clear, Ohio does not require UIM or UM coverage, but drivers can pay extra for it.
UM coverage allows an injured party to seek compensation when there are losses caused by an uninsured driver, whereas UIM coverage allows an injury victim to seek additional compensation when standard auto insurance liability and property damage coverage is insufficient to cover the full amount of that injury victim’s losses.
Why Would I Need Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Ohio only requires drivers to have minimum amounts of auto insurance coverage:
- $25,000 liability coverage for one person in an accident;
- $50,000 liability coverage for more than one person in an accident; and
- $25,000 property damage in an accident.
If an at-fault driver causes injury and damage to multiple persons and vehicles, or if the injuries are severe, these minimum liability coverage amounts will not be enough to cover all losses. In such a situation, that at-fault driver will be known as an “underinsured” driver. In this type of scenario, the injury victim—if she or he has UIM coverage—can seek additional compensation through that coverage. Otherwise, the injury victim may be able to seek additional compensation through a lawsuit.
Call Me for Assistance with Your Claim
Being involved in a motor vehicle crash that results in serious injuries is devastating even when you are able to obtain full compensation from an insurance claim. As such, car accident injuries are particularly devastating when the at-fault driver was underinsured, or when the insurance company cannot provide you with full compensation to cover the total amount of your losses. If you have underinsured motorist coverage, you could be eligible to seek additional compensation by filing an underinsured motorist claim. If you do not have this type of insurance, I can still help you to seek additional compensation by filing a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver and anyone else who may be liable for your injuries. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call me today at 877.944.4373.