In Arizona, all motor vehicles are required to have insurance coverage. If you were involved in a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact the Phoenix car accident lawyers at Begam Marks & Traulsen, P.A., and schedule a free review of your legal options. We can help ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries or property damage, even if the at-fault driver does not have adequate insurance coverage.
Accidents Involving Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
At times, people sustain injuries in accidents involving another driver who does not have adequate insurance coverage. In such cases, the following policies may apply:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
This applies to your own policy and protects both you and your passengers when you sustain bodily injury, but the other driver has no liability coverage. If you have this kind of coverage, the insurance company will pay compensatory damages for any bodily injury you and your passengers incur, up to your policy limit.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
This type of coverage kicks in when you and your passengers sustain injuries in an accident, but the liable driver does not have adequate insurance coverage to cover the extent of your damages. If you have underinsured motorist coverage, your insurance company will pay compensatory damages that exceed the underinsured motorist’s policy limits, up to the limit outlined in your own policy.
These two types of damages cover your monetary losses, which include medical bills, lost wages, and any other damages that may result from your accident. If you suffer injuries and an uninsured or underinsured motorist is at fault, these types of coverage supply compensation for your bills. They’re important because they also provide an avenue of legal recourse from hit-and-run drivers.
People try to cut costs however they can. Unfortunately, this means insurance coverage is one of the first things to go. As a result, many Arizona drivers must face the consequences of uninsured and underinsured drivers following car accidents. To protect yourself from unsurmountable medical expenses, it’s essential to carry adequate amounts of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Can I File Claim Against an Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist?
Arizona is a traditional fault state when it comes to car accident law, so you can theoretically go after an at-fault driver’s personal assets if they are uninsured or underinsured. Unfortunately, many drivers buy less insurance than they need because they lack sufficient funds for adequate coverage in the first place. That’s why it’s so important to carry these types of policies.
Arizona is a traditional fault state when it comes to car accident law, so you can theoretically go after an at-fault driver’s personal assets if they are uninsured or underinsured. Unfortunately, many drivers buy less insurance than they need because they lack sufficient funds for adequate coverage in the first place. That’s why it’s so critical to carry these types of policies.
The rates listed below are the current Arizona state minimum requirements:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability for one person and $50,000 for two or more persons
- $15,000 property damage liability
Now, consider the average cost of an MRI is up to $3,000 alone. If you must visit an emergency room following a car accident, you could easily exceed these policy limits, even for a minor injury. We recommend carrying underinsured and uninsured policies above the minimum required amounts of coverage.
Your Phoenix Underinsured/Uninsured Car Accident Attorney
If you recently sustained injuries in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may have difficulty navigating the insurance claims. The act of getting an attorney involved can entice insurance companies to take your claim more seriously. Let a Phoenix personal injury attorney from our firm represent your right to fair compensation under Arizona law. Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation with a lawyer from Begam Marks & Traulsen, P.A. today.