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Is there anything that can be done if an uninsured motorist hits my car?
There are several options available to you. For starters, many drivers that initially appear to be uninsured do have insurance that covers them – through the owner of the vehicle, a resident relative, employer or some other source that they were not aware of. It may also be that the person has insurance, even if they did not have proof of it with them at the time of the accident.
Failing that, you may be able to make a property damage claim against your own company, depending on the insurance you purchased. This may include rental car and towing expenses. There may also be uninsured motorist benefits available through the Victims Compensation Fund.
If the accident was not my fault, can the insurance company raise my rates?
So long as you are not at fault, the insurance company cannot raise your rates, refuse to renew your coverage, or otherwise hold the accident against you – even though you have made claims for no-fault benefits, collision or comprehensive claims or claims for an uninsured motorist. The premiums you pay to the insurance company protect you against these types of losses.
How long do I have to bring my claim?
The statute of limitations for automobile accidents is four years from the date of the accident. This means a formal complaint must be filed with the appropriate court or the claim is lost. However, there are many factors that can shorten or extend the time limits that apply – the type of accident, a person’s age, mental state and even type of claim or vehicle involved. That is why it is so important to contact a personal injury lawyer to determine the limits of your own claim. Otherwise, you may unknowingly cost yourself the right to pursue your claim.
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
Depending on the factors involved in your case, you may be able to resolve issues without a lawyer. For example, if you have a car accident with damages only to your vehicle, the process is pretty clear. However, if any accident, automobile or otherwise, results in a personal injury or loss of life, a personal injury attorney is good to have on your side.
That’s because every situation is different, so there are no hard-and-fast rules for evaluating the claim. In addition, it often pits an individual or family against the vast resources of an insurance company, which is typically looking after its own interests – not yours.
Because most reputable personal injury attorneys provide an initial consultation at no charge to you, it is certainly worth a small investment of your time to find out.
How quickly will my claim be resolved?
While a property damage claim can be resolved in as little as ten days, those involving bodily injury usually take much longer to properly conclude. Depending on the injury, this can take as little as two months or as long as two years.
