Uninsurance Motorist Following a Car Accident in Annapolis

Determining the damages associated with a personal injury case can often be difficult as it depends on a variety of factors. In Annapolis, these elements can be made even more difficult when one or both parties are either uninsured, or underinsured in their motorist coverage. With this in mind, if you have been involved in an auto accident and are looking to recover damages through insurance, it is pertinent that you contact an experienced Annapolis auto accident attorney, who is able to provide the knowledge necessary to help award any and all available amounts of compensation.

Determining Coverage

Following an auto accident in Annapolis, one of the various roles an attorney will play is determining the insurance company of the at-fault party.

There are laws that dictate if and when an insurance company has to reveal the coverage that is available for the claim as often, the insurance companies do not have an obligation, without meeting certain criteria, to disclose the amount of coverage that the at-fault party has available for the claim. An attorney, however, is aware of the criteria that need to be met to obtain that information.

The amount of insurance available in conjunction with the valuation of the claim will determine whether the insurance coverage information has to be obtained from the alleged victim, or the party they are representing. This is to determine whether there might be uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage exposure to try to obtain the maximum amount of insurance available for compensation.There may also be a need to determine the client’s coverage in the event that an uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may need to be obtained.

Personal Injury Protection

In Maryland, there may also be the determination of personal injury protection coverage. The minimum coverage is usually $2,500, but can go up to $10,000 and more. This is fairly inexpensive coverage  is very helpful in the circumstances of bridging the gap for lost wages and out-of-pocket medical expenses, which can be very costly. The personal injury protection coverage can bridge the gap until the claim against the other party is resolved.

This coverage also does not have to be reimbursed.  It is coverage that is obtainable under any circumstances for the lost wages and for the medical bills incurred, and is in addition to the recovery against the at-fault party. That sort of coverage is important to consider, and is advisable so that an individual has that available to them under the circumstances.

Role of an Attorney

Under these circumstances, the attorney represents the client’s interests against the at-fault party’s insurance coverage for a recovery for all of the damages caused by the at-fault party under their insurance policy, and to the extent required against them personally.  The attorney would perform an asset check to determine the likelihood of recovery of any judgment in excess of the available insurance. The asset check would determine their compensation from their employment, ownership of a house, ownership of other assets, bank accounts, and other financial information to determine the financial wherewithal of the at-fault party being able to satisfy any judgment in excess of the available insurance.

Additionally, the attorney would represent the client in determining the available uninsured or underinsured coverage available under their own policy in Annapolis, and would process the personal injury protection claim up to the limits available. For any issues that would come up or any refusal to provide compensation under any scenario, the attorney would be prepared, as advisable, to pursue any denial or any issues that come up along the way, whether it be directly with the insurance company or in court.