How Do Uninsured Motorist Claims Work in Maryland?

Car accidents are stressful enough when the at-fault driver has insurance. Unfortunately, many Maryland drivers discover after a collision that the person who caused the crash has no insurance coverage at all. In other situations, the driver leaves the scene in a hit-and-run accident, leaving you without another driver’s insurance to cover your losses.

This is where your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes extremely important. Maryland law requires all automobile insurance policies to include uninsured motorist protection. This means that you can recover compensation from your own insurance company when the responsible party either cannot be found or does not have car insurance. Then, after we negotiate your UM claim your insurance company will and should go after the faulting party for their reimbursement.

DuBoff & Associates represents clients throughout the DMV and greater Silver Spring area in all types of crash cases. We explore every avenue for compensation, including your own insurance. Reach out to our law firm today to schedule a Free consultation with an expert Silver Spring car accident attorney.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is a type of insurance that protects you when you are injured by a driver who either:

• Has no auto insurance
• Cannot be identified, such as in a hit-and-run accident
• Has insurance coverage that is unavailable or inadequate for some reason

Maryland law requires all automobile insurance policies issued in the state to include uninsured motorist coverage. Generally, UM limits match the liability limits of your policy unless one foolishly & specifically choose lower limits in writing.

Maryland drivers are typically required to carry minimum liability coverage of:

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 for property damage

Uninsured motorist coverage is usually available in at least these amounts. Many drivers should choose higher limits to better protect themselves and their families. The cost is minimal but they don’t tell you that. Since serious injuries can easily exceed maximum policy limits, higher UM coverage often provides valuable protection.

Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Matters

Many people assume that every driver on the road carries insurance because Maryland law requires it. However, uninsured driving remains a significant problem.

When an uninsured driver causes a serious accident, recovering compensation directly from them can be difficult. Many uninsured motorists lack the financial resources necessary to pay substantial medical bills, lost wages, or other damages resulting from a collision.

Without UM coverage, accident victims may find themselves responsible for expenses that should have been covered by the negligent driver. UM coverage helps pay for losses such as:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost income
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage in some circumstances
• Funeral expenses in fatal accident cases

For many Maryland accident victims, higher uninsured motorist coverage can mean the difference between financial stability and overwhelming debt after a serious crash.

When Can You File an Uninsured Motorist Claim?

There are several situations when you may be able to file an uninsured motorist claim. This may include:

1. The At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance: The most common scenario occurs when the driver who caused the accident has no valid insurance policy. If the at-fault driver lacks coverage, then your UM benefits may offer compensation for your losses.
2. Hit-and-Run Accidents: If another driver strikes your vehicle and leaves the scene without being identified, your uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Hit-and-run accidents are generally treated as uninsured motorist claims because there is no insurance company available to compensate victims.
3. Insurance Coverage Is Denied: In some situations, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may deny coverage due to policy exclusions, cancellations, or other issues. When coverage is unavailable, UM benefits may become available through your own insurer.
4. The Driver Is Underinsured: Maryland law allows injured victims to seek compensation through underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) when the at-fault driver’s policy limits are insufficient to pay for your losses. This is similar to UM coverage. For example, if your damages total $250,000 and the at-fault driver only carries $30,000 in liability coverage, UIM coverage may help to bridge the gap. UM/UIM is cheaper than you think. Ask us!

How to Make a UM Claim Against Your Insurance Policy

Many people feel uncomfortable filing a claim with their own insurer for a car accident caused by someone else. You’ve paid for this for years and now your policy saves you! Uninsured motorist claims are designed for exactly these situations. Now you need a REAL attorney.

Even though you are dealing with your own insurance company, the insurance company will still carefully evaluate and potentially challenge aspects of your claim. For this reason, you should follow the same steps that you would if you were filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance company:

• Report the accident to law enforcement.
• Notify your insurance company, but avoid providing a recorded statement to anyone.
• Gather evidence, such as photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicle damage, witness contact information, medical bills, police reports, and documentation of lost wages.
• Obtain medical treatment
• Submit your claim
• Negotiate a settlement
• Pursue litigation if necessary

An experienced Maryland car accident attorney can help you with the process. This can include handling all communications with the insurance company, investigating the cause of the accident, and negotiating a settlement on your behalf.

Can Your Insurance Company Deny a UM Claim?

Like any other insurance claim, uninsured motorist claims may be denied under certain circumstances. An insurance company may challenge a UM claim for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Disputes about fault
• Insufficient evidence
• Questions about injury severity
• Failure to report the accident promptly
• Policy exclusions
• Lack of cooperation during the investigation

A denial does not necessarily mean that the claim lacks merit. In many cases, a skilled Maryland car accident lawyer can push back against wrongful denials or attempts to minimize your claim.

Help for Car Accident Victims in Silver Spring, Maryland area.

Uninsured motorist coverage plays a vital role in protecting Maryland drivers who are injured in an accident involving a hit-and-run or a driver without car insurance. While these claims are filed through your own insurance policy, obtaining fair compensation is not always straightforward. Our law firm can advocate for your rights and work to get you the compensation that you deserve for your losses.

At DuBoff & Associates, we are dedicated to helping our clients get the money that they deserve for their injuries. We handle all civil cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you’ll never pay a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Maryland car accident lawyer, give us a call at 866-210-6821 or fill out our online contact form.