Auto Insurance

Many car and truck accidents are the fault of an uninsured (UM) or under-insured (UIM) motorist. Often times, you may be required to make a claim against your own insurance policy to protect yourself. This type of claim is called an uninsured motorist claim or an under-insured motorist claim (UM) or (UIM).

Uninsured Motorists (UM)
Uninsured motorist means that the driver who hit you has no insurance at all. You may also make an uninsured motorist claim under your policy when you are involved in a hit and run accident. Sometimes called a “phantom” vehicle, this occurs when a driver makes contact with your vehicle causing property damage and injuries, but does not stop at the scene of the accident and you have no way of identifying that person. This claim falls under your uninsured motorist coverage. If you have basic coverage in North Carolina, you also have uninsured motorist coverage.

Under-insured Motorist (UIM)
If an at-fault driver causes you property damage or personal injuries, and they have insurance, but the policy limits are not enough to cover your injuries, including lost wages and pain and suffering, you may make a claim under the under-insured motorist portion of your own policy.

For example: if an at-fault driver has the North Carolina minimum limits of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) in liability coverage, and you have a UIM policy of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,0000.00), you may be able to recover thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) from the at-fault party, and as much as seventy thousand dollars ($70,000.00) from your own UIM policy to equal the maximum limit of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) under your own policy if your injuries warrant such a recovery.

Medical Payments Coverage (Med-Pay)
Many auto insurance policies contain a provision for Med-Pay coverage which can be used to pay your medical bills in the event that your are injured, regardless of who is at-fault. In North Carolina, any Med-Pay funds you receive from your own insurance company do not affect the other driver’s liability to you, and they are still responsible for paying your medical bills in full. Further, under North Carolina law, even if you have medical insurance to pay your medical bills, such a payment to you does not affect the liability of the at-fault party to pay you for your medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

We have handled many claims involving these car insurance issues and can help you if you find yourself involved with them. For questions about these issues and to learn more about how to recover the maximum amount available for your automobile accident, you may call us for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. We represent individuals and families statewide in any city or county in the State of North Carolina.

For more information about our services, please contact us.