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Hit By An Uninsured Driver? Understand Your Legal Options.

When an accident involves an uninsured or underinsured driver, many people don’t know what to do. If you have uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) liability coverage on your policy, you can seek compensation. You may, however, need an attorney’s help to recover the amount of compensation you need.

When auto accidents involving uninsured motorists cause personal injury and/or property damage, our experienced uninsured motorist lawyers use their knowledge of insurance law and individual liability to pursue damages and seek compensation from insurers who may try to avoid or minimize their responsibility to policyholders. Find out more today by calling Wise Law Offices LLC in Chicago at 312-985-0930.

What To Know About UM/UIM Insurance

Illinois requires that all drivers have minimum liability insurance of $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people, and $20,000 for property damage. However, 13.3% of motorists in Illinois do not carry insurance or do not carry enough insurance. Drivers must also carry UM/UIM liability coverage, depending on their policy limits. With UM/UIM coverage, your insurance policy covers you if you have a crash with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to pay your damages. Unfortunately, not all drivers follow this law.

Some common situations involving uninsured or underinsured drivers include:

  • Drunk drivers
  • Hit-and-run accidents
  • Drivers whose licenses are suspended or revoked

You should not be penalized because another driver was irresponsible. Let our attorneys handle your insurance company for you.

What To Do After An Accident With An Underinsured Motorist

After a Chicago car accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you need to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible, although there is not necessarily a deadline. Then, you should:

  • Contact the police to file a report.
  • Get medical help.
  • Take pictures of the accident scene, your vehicle and your injuries.
  • Get the name and contact information of the driver and any witnesses.
  • Do not speak to insurance company representatives until you have uninsured motorist lawyers.

If you are interested in filing a lawsuit, you have a two-year statute of limitations after the date of the accident to file it. You and your uninsured motorist lawyer can file the complaint, civil lawsuit paperwork, appearance form and summons in the circuit court in your jurisdiction. If the other driver was on the job or driving a company vehicle, you may have the right to file a claim with their employer, too.

How Uninsured Motorist Lawyers Help With Your Claim

You need an uninsured motorist attorney to explain the law, your rights and your options. We also file all the paperwork for you in accordance with the law. Our uninsured motorist lawyers communicate with the insurance provider and make sure that they cannot get you to admit fault inadvertently. We also negotiate aggressively for a favorable settlement. If necessary, we will file a lawsuit and represent you at trial. We have the knowledge and skill necessary to negotiate a favorable settlement and to take cases to trial.

Let Us Help You Claim Compensation – Contact Us Today

Our Chicago attorneys are ready to help. Please call 312-985-0930 or fill out our online contact form to set up a free consultation with knowledgeable uninsured motorist lawyers.