Being victimized by the carelessness of another driver can be devastating. But when a driver has no insurance, an accident can quickly lead to financial ruin.
The Boston car accident attorneys at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers understand the challenges of dealing with an accident involving an uninsured motorist. In many cases, it's even more critical to hire experienced and aggressive legal representation in the wake of an uninsured motorist accident in Massachusetts or elsewhere.
Failure to act expediently can result in an inability to collect damages for lost wages, current and future medical bills, pain and suffering and other costs associated with the accident. And there is ample evidence that the economic downturn of the last few years has led to an increase in the number of motorists on the road who are driving without insurance.
Uninsured Motorist Claims in MassachusettsStudies suggest more people have been forced to lower coverage or drop auto insurance during the economic downturn. One report suggested 1 in 7 motorists are driving without insurance. These stats readily illustrate the benefits of carrying uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Historically, Massachusetts has been among the states with the lowest percentage of uninsured drivers - still, nearly 1 in 10 drivers are on the road without insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council.
Massachusetts law makes uninsured motorist coverage optional. Additionally, a company is permitted to limit the amount of uninsured coverage it offers. Understanding your coverage and knowing your limits is important when comparing quotes or making other insurance coverage decisions for you and your family.
In cases where a victim is involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, an injury attorney may attempt to collect damages by making a claim against the assets of an at-fault driver. However, a lack of insurance often means a driver could not afford it and has few assets against which a claim could result in recovery. In such cases, your attorney may seek to make a claim against insurance in place on other vehicles in an at-fault driver's household or even against your own insurance company.
Cases in which you are seeking to make a collection against your own insurance policy put you in an adversarial relationship with your carrier. In such cases, your insurance company may be paying more attention to its bottom line than to your best interests. Too often, victims do not take the actions necessary to protect their rights when dealing with their own insurance company. Consequently, they may not realize the type of settlement to which they would otherwise be entitled.
Don't make the mistake of assuming your insurance company will treat you fairly in the event of an accident. In the event that you or a loved one is involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, contact a Boston personal injury law firm immediately to discuss your rights and the best course of action to protect you and your family.
In the wake of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, we recommend you seek medical treatment as necessary, obtain contact information for the parties involved and any witnesses on the scene, and document the accident scene to the best of your ability. Taking cell phone pictures and making detailed notes are excellent ideas. As is speaking to an experienced law firm at the earliest stage in such cases.
If your family is dealing with a Massachusetts car accident involving a teenager, contact the Boston personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
Boston Injury Lawyer - (617) 777-7777 -- Free Consultation