COLLECTING COMPENSATION AFTER AN ACCIDENT WITH AN UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED MOTORIST
If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may face tremendous difficulty collecting compensation from your insurance company and other parties without the help of an attorney. At The Tawwater Law Firm in Oklahoma City, OK, an uninsured motorist lawyer can deal with your insurance provider on your behalf to help ensure that you are treated fairly and receive the money you need to cover your losses. We may be able to represent you in a personal injury claim as well. If you need to file an uninsured motorist claim, contact our office online or call us toll-free at (855) 607-1400 as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation.
Auto Insurance in Oklahoma
In 2012, an estimated 15 to 26 percent of drivers were uninsured in Oklahoma. An uninsured motorist is one who operates a vehicle without the level of liability insurance required by law. In Oklahoma, the minimum legal liability coverage is 25/50/25, which means your insurance must cover $20,000 for injuries to a single person, $50,000 for injuries to all those involved in a single accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
In some cases, the individual at fault will have insurance, but cause more damage than their insurance covers. For example, you could face $70,000 in medical bills due to an automobile accident, but the driver’s liability insurance only covers $50,000. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, it will typically cover the remaining $20,000.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
You are not required to pay for uninsured motorist insurance in the state of Oklahoma. However, insurance companies are required to offer it. If you have UM insurance, it generally covers you and all the occupants of the car during the accident for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Any loss of income
In most cases, UM insurance will also cover you if you are hit by an uninsured driver as a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian. However, this type of insurance typically does not cover property damage. Instead, any damage to your vehicle is covered by collision insurance. If you only carry liability insurance, it is unlikely that you will receive money to repair your vehicle.
Seeking Compensation
When you are in an accident, the first step is to collect the information of all parties involved, especially concerning their insurance provider. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, you will need to file with your own insurance company to cover expenses. When you make a claim, the insurance company is required to review the claim and pay you to the full limits of your policy.
It is important to speak to an insurance coverage attorney before you file to ensure you understand your legal rights and options.
However, there is no guarantee that your insurance provider will treat you fairly or pay you what you truly deserve. For example, many insurance companies will not tell you that you can stack coverage by combining uninsured motorist coverage from all cars covered by a family plan. It is important to speak with an insurance coverage attorney before you file to ensure that you understand your legal rights and options.
Compassionate, Dedicated Attorneys
The lawyers at the Tawwater Law Firm understand the stress associated with automobile accidents, especially when an uninsured or underinsured motorist is involved. Having spent over 35 years representing the people of Oklahoma, we understand what you are going through, and have helped many clients achieve successful outcomes. Contact our firm online or call us toll-free at (855) 607-1400 to schedule a free consultation today.
