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Uninsured & Underinsured Coverage
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.
Uninsured and Underinsured Accidents Attorney in Connecticut
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 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
- “More than one hit-and-run crash happens somewhere in the U.S. every minute.”
- “Up to 90% of hit-and-run accidents result in no 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 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, 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 Connecticut
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, 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.
Car & Truck Accidents
If you were injured in a car collision – Rear End, Head-On, Sideswipe, Etc. – you should contact a personal injury attorney. Contacting a lawyer is the first step toward recovering everything you are entitled to under the law.
Motorcycle Accidents
Each year thousands of people are injured in motorcycle & bicycle accidents. If you are one of them, call the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Buckley Wynne & Parese to resolve your case quickly and efficiently.
Distracted Driving Accidents
If you have been injured as a result of a distracted driving accident, involving a distracted driver or texting and driving wreck, you may be entitled to financial compensation, for both damages to your vehicle and the injuries you sustained.
Drunk Driving Lawyer, DUI
The sad reality is that almost all of us have been impacted by drunk driving. Approximately one in three traffic deaths in our country involve a drunk driver. Connecticut is in the top five states with the highest percentage of fatal accidents involving drunk drivers.
Fatal & Serious Injury Accidents
Car accident deaths can be devastating for families, friends, and communities. If you have lost a loved one in a car crash, you should consult with the compassionate fatal accident attorneys at Buckley Wynne & Parese. For a free, comprehensive consultation, call us today at (800) 445-2278.
Uninsured & Underinsured Coverage
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.
Pedestrian Accidents
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident contact the law office of Buckley Wynne & Parese. We have years of experience handling pedestrian accident cases throughout Connecticut.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
If you are the victim of a hit and run, there may be insurance that will protect you. Contact Buckley Wynne & Parese to help you understand your situation.
Rideshare Accidents
The experienced Connecticut Taxi and Ride Share accident attorneys at Buckley Wynne & Parese have a long and successful track record of helping injured victims and their families secure just compensation for all of their losses.
Plane Crash Injury
Because of the intensive procedure these plane crash cases tend to follow, you will need an experienced and knowledgeable attorney at Buckley Wynne & Parese Personal Injury Attorneys.
Bicycle Accidents
Each year thousands of people are injured in bicycle accidents. If you are one of them, call the experienced bicycle accident attorneys at Buckley Wynne & Parese to resolve your case quickly and efficiently.
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