Recovering From Uninsured And Hit-And-Run Accidents
Being involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver can be a distressing experience. Not only are you left struggling with the physical and emotional aftermath of the accident, but you also face the challenge of recovering financial compensation for your injuries and damages. When the liable party cannot cover your costs or is not available to be responsible for their actions, it can take skilled legal action to receive the compensation you deserve.
At D&W Law Group, we are dedicated to helping Chicagoland residents secure justice and full compensation for their injuries. Our experienced attorneys are well-versed in handling cases involving uninsured motorists and hit-and-run drivers, and we are here to provide you with the focused and effective representation you need.
Recovering Money For Injuries From An Uninsured Motorist Or Hit-And-Run Driver
When you are injured by an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver, recovering compensation can be challenging. Unlike accidents involving insured drivers, where you would typically file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, your compensation will likely come from your own insurance through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
All Illinois drivers are required by law to have UM coverage to protect them from situations where liable drivers do not have any coverage or where the other driver flees the scene of the accident. This way, you can still receive compensation for the injuries you sustained in your accident.
The Role Of Uninsured Motorist Coverage In Illinois
Uninsured motorist coverage is a critical component of your auto insurance policy. This legally-required coverage comes with minimum coverage values of:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury if multiple people are injured
While this amount of coverage may seem to be high, it can quickly vanish in the costs related to a severe accident, which is why it is important to consider getting higher limits for your coverage. Medical bills, lost income and other expenses can deplete your UM coverage, and once those funds are gone, you may have to pay the remaining costs out of your own pocket.
How The Amount Of Compensation Depends On Your Policy
The amount of compensation you can recover under your uninsured motorist coverage depends on the specific terms and limits of your policy. If you elected a smaller coverage plan, some or most of the cost of your recovery may fall onto you. Before you make any elections, make sure you review your policy and consider increasing your UM coverage limits.
Filing a claim under your UM coverage means that your insurance provider will review your injuries and other damages and determine what kind of compensation you will receive. Our role as your legal representation in these matters is to ensure they consider all factors, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term impact on your quality of life, so you receive the fair and full compensation you deserve.
Damages Covered By Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to compensate you for many different expenses associated with an accident with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Some common expenses include:
Medical Expenses
UM coverage will compensate you for medical expenses related to the accident. This includes costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and even rehabilitation and therapy costs.
Lost Wages
If you cannot work because of your injuries, UM coverage can compensate you for lost wages. In addition to recovering the money you missed out on from not being able to work, you may also be able to receive compensation for the income your injuries keep you from earning because of your disability.
Pain And Suffering
UM coverage can compensate you for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, in addition to economic damages. We can help you secure compensation for the physical and emotional trauma you experienced from your accident.
Property Damage
While UM coverage primarily focuses on bodily injury, some policies may also include coverage for property damage. This can help cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it was damaged in the accident. It is important to review your policy to understand the specific coverage provided.
How We Can Help You
Navigating the complexities of uninsured motorists and hit-and-run accident claims can be challenging, especially when negotiating with insurance companies that may try to minimize your compensation. At D&W Law Group, our personal injury lawyers are committed to helping our clients attain the justice and compensation they deserve.
We provide our clients with custom-tailored representation to ensure their needs are addressed at every stage of their compensation claims. We take the time to explore all available options in every case we take before presenting them to our clients. As we fight for your ideal outcome, we will work diligently to gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and secure the maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.
Meet With A Committed Legal Team Today
If you suffered an injury in a motor vehicle accident where the liable party does not have insurance or fled the scene of the accident, you still have options to recover compensation. We are here to help you through every stage of your personal injury claim and act as your advocate with your insurance agency to pursue every cent you deserve after your accident.
You can meet at our Chicago office by calling us at 312-888-8888 or emailing us here to schedule your initial consultation with us today. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner you can resolve your claim and move forward after your accident.