Kentucky Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Attorneys
Help from Lexington & Louisville lawyers when the other driver doesn’t have insurance
The law requires drivers in Kentucky to carry auto insurance in the event of an accident, to provide compensation for any injuries they cause. If you are involved in a crash with a negligent driver, you typically file a claim with their insurance company to recoup your expenses and damages. However, what if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance? Or what if their insurance isn’t enough to cover your expenses?
These are known as uninsured or underinsured motorist accidents, and the Kentucky attorneys at Wilt & Associates, PLLC can help. We understand the stress of a car accident – you shouldn’t have to navigate a frustrating insurance process on top of that. We investigate your accident, document your injuries, and work with the insurance companies on your behalf. Most importantly, we fight for your right to compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us in Lexington or Louisville today.
How can we help today?
What is UM/UIM coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is coverage on your own car insurance policy used to protect yourself in the event an at-fault driver in a car accident doesn’t have coverage. (Note: This is different from underinsured motorists, which we’ll talk about next.) You will typically need UM coverage if you’re involved in an accident when the at-fault driver has no insurance, or when you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident (whether as a motorist, motorcyclist, pedestrian, or cyclist).
Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is coverage on your car insurance policy you use to protect yourself when an at-fault driver in a car accident has insufficient coverage to compensate you for your losses. It’s important to remember that, after a serious accident, you must take into account not only the damage to your vehicle and your immediate injuries, but the time it will take to fully recover (if you’ll recover at all) and all the ways the accident is affecting your life. Often, a few thousand dollars is not nearly enough.
Is UM/UIM coverage required in Kentucky?
Although all Kentucky drivers must maintain minimum liability insurance coverage on their vehicles ($25,000 per person/ $50,000 per incident in liability), uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance is not mandatory. However, it’s strongly advisable to purchase UM/UIM coverage – so strongly advised, in fact, that insurance companies are required to offer it and customers must opt out in writing.
What do I do if a Kentucky uninsured motorist hits me?
If you’re in an accident (or a hit-and-run) with an uninsured motorist, you should be able to look to your UM/UIM insurance to recoup your damages and losses. However, in many cases your medical expenses may be massive, especially if you have severe injuries. In incidents like these, you will need to find alternative ways to cover your costs. One of the ways is to file a legal claim against the driver who caused your accident.
In other instances, your insurance company may lowball your UM/UIM claim. Our Kentucky personal injury attorneys will step in and work to ensure you secure maximum policy limits for your injuries and losses. We hold not only the at-fault driver, but the insurance company to which you pay your premiums, responsible for your damages.
How do I prove my UM/UIM accident case?
Typically with car accidents, the attorneys at Wilt & Associates work with each party’s insurance company to come to a favorable resolution on the matter and, if that’s unsuccessful, we go to trial to represent your rights. However, in the case of uninsured or underinsured motorists, things get much more complicated. WalletHub reported in 2021 that 12% of Kentucky drivers are uninsured.
When you’re in an accident or hit-and-run with an uninsured driver, however, it’s not enough to simply file a claim stating the other driver was uninsured. You must prove several different elements, and our attorneys can help:
- That the other driver was at fault in causing the accident, which we can demonstrate using police reports and other evidence
- That the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, typically using a letter from the Kentucky of Motor Vehicle Services showing the last known insurance company
Our legal team can gather this evidence on your behalf, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
What is the value of my Kentucky UM/UIM accident claim?
Because every individual and every accident is unique, our attorneys do not assign “cookie cutter” values to injury claims. We work to secure the maximum compensation for your claim, tailored to account for the totality of your injuries, damages, and losses. This includes:
- Medical bills
- Wage loss
- Property damage
- Necessary rehabilitation services or equipment
- All expenses related to your injuries
- Your pain and suffering
Our attorneys are happy to get into the specifics of your claim in a free and personal consultation.
Do you have an uninsured/underinsured motorist accident attorney near me?
Wilt & Associates has offices in Louisville and Lexington:
If you are too injured to travel to us, we can arrange a phone or video conference. We also make hospital visits when necessary.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyers helping you in Lexington & Louisville
After a serious accident, it’s important to understand that even your own insurance company may not be your ally. However, the Kentucky UM/UIM attorneys at Wilt & Associates are. We know that insurance companies are required to fulfill their duty to pay out their policies and when they refuse to do so, we will hold them to that responsibility. We also hold at-fault drivers accountable when they cause you harm and losses. To find out how we can help, call 502-253-9110 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We maintain offices in Lexington and Louisville, and proudly serve clients throughout Kentucky.