Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claims

This coverage protects you in case you are injured by an uninsured driver. In Michigan, there are a large number of uninsured drivers on the road. You should purchase this coverage in the largest limits available. This coverage is cheap and when purchased with UIM coverage in the same limits – it provides you with an umbrella protection for injuries due to someone else's negligence while operating a motor vehicle. This is not a good place to skimp. UM coverage can generally be purchased in amounts up to the limits of your liability coverage. We recommend you should purchase at least $100,000/$300,000 limits. If you are injured by an uninsured driver, this may be the only recovery available to you (beyond your PIP medical benefits). The difference in price for larger UM limits is usually not very much. The additional protection is well worth the price.

It comes into play when the offending driver was an unidentified hit and run driver or had no liability coverage. When you have that coverage, your own insurance company stands in the shoes of the offending driver, making the uninsured motorist coverage you purchased potentially available to you to recover against, in the same way you might have been able to recover against the offending driver if, in fact, he/she had insurance coverage on their vehicle. The difference is that you are in control of setting the limits of available insurance through your own purchase.

Oftentimes, there are issues dealing with whether or not physical contact with the other vehicle occurred and timely reporting of the accident to police (which usually should occur within 24 hours). Sometimes, your insurance company will not voluntarily pay uninsured motorist benefits to you. When that occurs, it is necessary to litigate the matter in the same fashion as if you had to sue the offending driver.

We at Goodman Acker, P.C., are well experienced in prosecuting uninsured motorist claims on behalf of injured victims such as yourself. Please feel free to contact and consult with a Goodman Acker lawyer who can answer whatever questions you may have regarding the availability of this coverage, its applicability, and how to receive payment.

Remember, there is but a limited amount of time to make a claim, which varies from policy to policy, carrier to carrier, so call us now.

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