Too often, the injuries suffered by victims in auto accidents are caused by the negligence of other parties who either had no liability insurance or had inadequate liability insurance to fully compensate the injured person. However, uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage provides accident victims with avenues for economic compensation in the event of an accident. If you have been the unfortunate victim of a traffic accident caused by a driver without proper insurance coverage, the attorneys at Sinas, Dramis, Brake, Boughton & McIntyre, P.C., will protect your rights and represent your best interests. Lawyers at our firm handle No-Fault insurance benefit cases and represent clients throughout the State of Michigan, including Lansing, Flint, and Detroit. Our lawyers know the law and are skilled and knowledgeable litigators who have the resources to help you maximize your auto accident liability claim so that you can focus on your recovery.

UM and UIM Benefits

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects an auto accident victim’s liability claim when the at-fault driver has either no liability insurance or inadequate liability insurance to fully compensate the victim.  With UM and UIM benefits, an accident victim is able to pursue a liability claim against the company that issued the uninsured or underinsured coverage in order to obtain compensation for their auto accident-related injuries.

Uninsured Motorist Benefits

If an injured person's policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, and if the injury was caused by an uninsured driver, the injured victim will be able to assert his/her liability claim directly against his/her own insurance company who will then "stand in the shoes of the negligent driver." The injured person will be able to recover non economic damages and excess economic damages up to the limits of his/her uninsured coverage in exactly the same manner they would have, had the negligent party been insured. The only difference is that these claims are often times pursued in an arbitration proceeding, as opposed to a district or circuit court lawsuit, although this will depend on the exact wording of the policy. Strict compliance with policy provisions is required. Having uninsured motorist protection is crucial for victims of accidents in which the at-fault driver was uninsured.

Underinsured Motorist Claims

If an injured person purchased underinsured motorist coverage, and if the injury was the result of the negligence of someone who has inadequate liability limits to fully compensate the injured person, he/she can pursue that portion of a liability claim not covered by the at-fault driver's insurance through the injured person's own insurance company in much the same manner as one would pursue an uninsured motorist claim.  However, there are strict rules that must be followed so this claim is not jeopardized. For example, insurance policies typically require that the injured person completely exhaust the negligent party's liability limits before pursuing the claim for underinsured motorist coverage. In addition, most policies require that the injured person obtain written consent from his/her insurance company before settling with the negligent party. There may be other very important conditions set forth in the policy that must be complied with in order to maintain this claim, such as short notice of claim requirements.  Failure to follow these policy conditions can result in the loss of underinsured motorist benefits. Therefore, extreme caution is necessary to protect these claims.

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Contact Our No-Fault Insurance Benefits Lawyers

With more and more drivers carrying little to no insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is important protection to have.  However, because of the complicated nature of claims against drivers with inadequate insurance coverage, victims of accidents need experienced, aggressive legal representation to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve.  If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, the No-Fault insurance benefits lawyers with our firm serving Flint and communities throughout Michigan will protect your rights and fight to help you recover all the compensation owed to you.  Contact Sinas, Dramis, Brake, Boughton & McIntyre, P.C. to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys today.