Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Greensboro NC

Getting hit by another driver in North Carolina is always stressful, especially if you suffer an injury. Learning that the at-fault driver lacks insurance or doesn’t carry enough insurance to compensate you fully only makes matters worse. However, you may still have options to recover fair compensation. An uninsured/underinsured motorist accident lawyer from Ward Black Law can review your situation and guide you through the claims process.

Most people resolve car accident claims by recovering compensation from the responsible driver’s insurance policy. But when there is no insurance or insufficient insurance coverage, you may need to turn to your own insurance company. A successful uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist claim (UIM) can help you obtain the money you need for your medical bills and other losses.

Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always act in their policyholders’ best interest. Working with an attorney may be the best way to maximize your compensation if you need to file or have already filed a UM/UIM claim with no luck. Call or contact Ward Black Law today for a free consultation with our uninsured and underinsured motorist claim lawyers.    

How Does Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage Work?

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is an essential part of car insurance in North Carolina. It’s designed to protect you if you’re in a crash involving someone who was driving without the mandatory auto insurance coverage.  

If an uninsured driver is at fault for an accident that harms you, UM coverage covers the costs. It will also cover you if the driver who hit you fled the scene without giving you their insurance or contact information. UM coverage extends beyond you to include passengers in the vehicle, too. 

How Does Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage Work?

Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is another vital part of your auto insurance in Greensboro, North Carolina. It kicks in when the person responsible for a collision lacks enough insurance limits to cover all costs associated with your injuries. 

Let’s say you’re in a crash and the other driver is at fault, but their insurance can only pay a portion of your medical bills and pain and suffering. That’s where UIM coverage comes into play. It covers the gap between what the driver’s insurance can pay and what you actually need to recover from the accident. Hiring an underinsured motorists accident lawyer to stand by your side helps to ensure you obtain maximum compensation.  

What are North Carolina’s UM/UIM Car Insurance Requirements?

North Carolina law requires all drivers to have UM coverage as part of their auto insurance policies. This requirement ensures you are financially protected if someone with no insurance causes a crash that injures you. 

Here’s what you need to know about North Carolina’s auto insurance requirements: 

• Minimum liability insurance limits: Your car insurance policy must include at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability per accident.
• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: This part of your insurance covers you if an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver injures you or damages your car. The law says that UM coverage must match the highest bodily injury liability limit on any one vehicle in the policy. So, if you have the minimum liability coverage, your UM coverage would also provide $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $60,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident. However, no policy can exceed $1 million per person or per accident. You can buy more or stick with the minimum, but you cannot purchase below the minimum limits.
• Underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance: Like UM coverage, your UIM limits must match your policy’s highest bodily injury limit unless you waive obtaining this coverage. Having UIM coverage in Greensboro, NC is optional, not required. You also have the option to increase this coverage up to a $1 million cap per person or per accident. Unlike UM, UIM does not cover property damage.

What If I Was Injured in a Hit and Run Accident?

If someone hits your car and flees the scene, your UM insurance will cover you. In addition to situations where the other driver has no insurance, UM coverage applies if the motorist who hit you drives off and doesn’t provide their contact or insurance information. 

UM insurance covers medical expenses for you and your passengers and repairs to your vehicle after a hit and run. In other words, it works just as it would if the other driver was uninsured and remained at the scene. Essentially, UM insurance acts as the insurance for the fleeing driver, preventing you from dealing with the financial burden of the accident on your own.

Can I Recover Pain and Suffering Compensation From UM/UIM?

Yes. Pain and suffering damages are possible through your UM or UIM coverage in Greensboro. This means if the accident left you with long-lasting injuries or emotional distress, your insurance could pay you for those hardships. 

The amount you receive for pain and suffering depends on the details of your insurance policy and the specifics of the accident. Your insurance company examines how the injuries affect your life and calculates your compensation based on those factors. A knowledgeable UM and UIM claim lawyer can present valuable evidence and negotiate with your insurance provider to maximize your pain and suffering compensation.