Maryland Uninsured Motorists Underinsured Motorists Laws
Believe it or not, many Maryland residents are are unaware of the type of insurance coverage they have. From liability to full coverage, some people are left in the dark when understanding how their vehicle and themselves will be financially protected in the event of a car accident.
Two important types of auto insurance people should have are uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage. Read on to learn the importance of each and how our attorney is skilled in negotiating with insurance companies to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Maryland Uninsured Motorists Coverage Overview
Uninsured motorists coverage is a must have in Maryland. In 2009, the Insurance Research Council reported that over 15% of drivers in Maryland did not have insurance. This type of insurance coverage provides compensation to drivers for property damage in the event they are hit by a driver who does not have insurance. The insurance company will pay a claim for damage up to the policy limit.
People typically have to use uninsured motorist coverage when they suffer damage as a result of a hit-and-run. Hit-and-run accidents can result in serious civil and criminal penalties. In addition to filing an insurance claim, make sure you report the accident to the police (in the event the driver fled the scene after hitting your vehicle). Under Maryland State law, uninsured vehicle owners could lose their license and vehicle registration privileges from leaving the scene of a car accident. In addition, the uninsured hit-and-run driver may be subject to paying a fine up to $1,000 and/or being imprisoned for up to one year.
Maryland Underinsured Motorists Coverage Overview
Underinsured motorists coverage applies when a driver is involved in a car accident with a person who does not have enough insurance. For example, the at-fault driver may have a bare bone maximum coverage of $30,000. If you suffer a medical injury as a result of the accident, and your medical expenses total $150,000, the at-fault party’s insurance will not be able to cover the total bill. In this situation, your underinsured motorist coverage will apply and cover the remaining balance.
Uninsured Motorists Coverage Compensation
An uninsured motorist policy will cover expenses related to medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The coverage will in essence put you in a place you would have been in had the accident not occurred.
Contact A Maryland Car Accident Lawyer
Our Maryland underinsured/ uninsured motorists attorney can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injury and property damage. We are skilled in negotiating with car insurance companies to obtain very favorable results on behalf of our clients.
Remember, an important element of obtaining compensation under uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage is determining which party is at fault. Never commit to fault under any circumstances. Our car attorney can examine the accident and advise you of your legal rights and options regarding fault. Do not delay in seeking legal advice. We provide free consultations for car accident, trucking accident and personal injury victims throughout Maryland including Annapolis, Bel Air, Montgomery County, P.G. County, Baltimore and Ocean City, Maryland.