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Uninsured & Underinsured Coverage Lawyer in South Windsor, CT

Connecticut law requires uninsured/underinsured coverage on every motor vehicle policy sold in the state. Uninsured and underinsured motorist cases often involve significant investigation. Many of these cases involve insurers who will do everything they can to lower their total payout after an accident.

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Uninsured and Underinsured Accidents Attorney in South Windsor, CT

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Under Connecticut law, drivers are required to have the following minimum insurance coverage:

  • $20,000/$40,000– Bodily Injury Uninsured/Underinsured
  • $10,000– Property Damage Liability

The Importance of Uninsured (UM)/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage

After the initial trauma of a car wreck, the concerns of insurance coverage are real. Does the party at-fault have insurance and is it enough to fully compensate for all injuries and losses? Will there be adequate coverage to fully cover future medical care, lost wages at work, and permanent injuries?

Uninsured and underinsured motorist in South Windsor coverage protects you in the event that the at-fault driver has limited or no liability insurance. While the State of Connecticut requires automobile insurance coverage, many operators do, in fact, have limited coverage or no coverage at all. Because of the unpredictability of other drivers, BWP strongly recommends you buy as much coverage as you are able.

The importance of the coverage is understood best in terms of statistics. Approximately one in eight drivers are operating a motor vehicle without insurance.

Source: Insurance Information Institute

Hit-and-Runs in South Windsor, CT

  • “More than one hit-and-run crash happens somewhere in the U.S.every minute.”
  • “Up to 90% of hit-and-run accidents result inno punishment

Evading Responsibility

In the State of Connecticut, should an operator leave the scene of the accident, his or her license will automatically be suspended. Whether or not the operator is charged with a misdemeanor or felony depends on the severity of the crash.

Connecticut General Statutes §14-244

A) Hit-and-run that results in a fatality or serious injury

  • Fines: Up to $10,000
  • Imprisonment: At least one year, no more than 10
  • License Suspension: At least one year, no more than 5

B) Hit-and-run that results in minor injury or property damage

  • Fines: $75- $600
  • Imprisonment: Up to one year
  • License Suspension: 90 days

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accident statistics, particularly fatalities, are growing. This troubling trend is all the more reason to be sure you have adequate uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. In the event that you or a family member are a pedestrian while involved in a hit-and-run, this coverage will help to compensate you for your injuries.

Source: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

How does UM Coverage Work?

When you are in a car wreck with an uninsured driver in South Windsor or if you are involved in a hit-and-run, the other party has no insurance coverage to compensate you for the injuries and damages you sustained in the accident. Should you have “collision” coverage on your policy, this would help cover your property damage. You will also be responsible for any medical expenses you may incur. Your underinsured motorist coverage will compensate you for said bodily injury expenses.

For example, let’s say you are hit by a driver and you severely injure your knee. You sustain permanent damage and your doctor recommends surgery. Unfortunately, the driver had no insurance and there is no coverage to be had with the at-fault party. You have UM coverage in the amount of $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident. Despite not being able to collect anything from the other driver, you can collect up to $100,000 from your own insurance carrier.

Now, if you are involved in the same accident, but the driver was either uninsured or had left the scene, your UM coverage would compensate you for up to $100,000. It is important that the accident is documented and reported to the police.

How does UIM Coverage Work?

When you are in an accident with an underinsured driver in South Windsor, you must exhaust their insurance coverage and then seek additional damages in the amount of your UIM coverage. Your UIM coverage will be credited for what was paid by the responsible party.

For example, let’s say you are hit by a driver, you severely injure your shoulder and will need surgery. The driver had insurance in the amount of the state minimum ($20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident). You have UIM coverage in the amount of $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident. After you collect $20,000 from the underinsured driver, you can collect up to $80,000 from your UIM coverage, for a total of $100,000.

Conversion coverage will pay as additional coverage regardless of the responsible party’s coverage. Conversion coverage is above and beyond (additional) what the other party has by way of coverage and in the above example new money.

Contact Buckley Wynne Parese, experienced attorneys here to help with your uninsured/underinsured motorist claim in South Windsor, CT

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in South Windsor, call us today. BWP is focused on representing individuals injured by the negligence and wrongdoing of others especially if they are injured by another motorist with little or no insurance coverage. We offer all prospective clients a free initial consultation. We will gladly review the details of each party’s insurance coverage and we will determine and discuss your legal options in regard to your compensation.

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