If you are injured in a Chicago car accident caused by another party, you expect them to have insurance coverage to pay your damages. However, it is estimated that 15% of Illinois motorists do not carry the minimum required coverage and many more do not carry enough coverage for damages sustained in a serious car accident.
Learning that the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have sufficient insurance can be devastating. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company. Unfortunately, your own insurance company may try to deny or devalue your claim. Without UM/UIM coverage, you will need to look for other sources of compensation.
If you have been injured by a Chicago uninsured or underinsured motorist, you need the assistance of a Chicago personal injury lawyer to determine your options for recovering compensation for your damages. At Meyers & Flowers, our Chicago uninsured or underinsured motorist lawyers have the experience, skills, and resources to help you recover maximum compensation for your damages. Call (630) 280-3771 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.
Why Choose Meyers & Flowers as Your Chicago Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Lawyer?
- Results. We have secured over $6 billion in compensation for our clients.
- Experience. We have decades of experience protecting the rights of injury victims and helping them recover maximum compensation.
- Dedication. We are committed to standing up to large corporations and insurance companies to secure justice for injury victims.
- Integrity. We won’t take your case unless we believe it has merit and that we can help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Common Injuries Suffered in Chicago Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common injuries suffered in Chicago car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage.
- Back and neck injuries.
- Broken and crushed bones.
- Facial injuries.
- Burns.
- Severed limbs.
- Lacerations, abrasions, and contusions.
- Soft tissue injuries, including ligament and tendon damage.
Even injuries that do not seem severe initially can quickly result in expensive medical costs and may prevent you from being able to work. If an uninsured or underinsured motorist caused your injuries, you need the help of an experienced Chicago uninsured or underinsured motorist lawyer to protect your rights and secure the compensation you are entitled to.
Illinois Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements
Illinois follows a fault based insurance model for car accidents. While some states are no-fault states where you seek compensation for your damages from your own insurance provider, in fault states like Illinois, the at-fault driver and their insurance provider is responsible for the damages caused.
Illinois requires all motorists to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. The current mandatory auto insurance coverage in Illinois is:
- $25,000 for bodily injury involving one person in an accident.
- $50,000 for bodily injury involving two or more people in an accident.
- $20,000 for property damage in an accident.
Despite Illinois law requiring this coverage, many motorists still drive with no insurance coverage. Even when motorists carry insurance, the minimum required coverage may be far too little in a severe car accident.
Illinois law also requires uninsured motorist limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident which covers you for bodily injury when an at-fault driver has no insurance or you are injured by a hit-and-run driver. If you purchase higher limits of uninsured motorist coverage, you are also required to have underinsured motorists coverage..
How Can I Recover Compensation For My Damages When The At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have adequate insurance coverage, you may have other options. An experienced Chicago uninsured or underinsured motorist lawyer can help determine all your options and maximize your chances of recovering full compensation.
Some options for recovering damages after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorists include:
- Filing a claim with your uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance provider if you have this converge.
- Filing a claim with your collision insurance if you have this coverage.
- Filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, the owner of the vehicle, or an employer of the driver if the driver was on the job at the time of the accident, when appropriate.
- Determining whether other parties may be liable for the accident and seeking compensation from them when possible. For example, if defective or negligently maintained equipment contributed to your accident, a manufacturer or maintenance/repair business may be liable.
Your options for recovering compensation are not always obvious. And iIt is not always apparent that other parties may have contributed to your accident. However, an experienced Chicago uninsured or underinsured motorist lawyer can help identify and pursue all your available options.
What Damages Can I Recover After An Accident With An Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist?
The type and amount of damages you can recover depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the strength of your case, and the available insurance coverage and other sources of compensation.
In a successful Chicago uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, you may still be able to recover your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include current and future medical expenses, current and future lost wages, property damages, and other costs incurred due to your accident and injuries.
Non-economic damages you may be able to recover include pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses.
Punitive damages are designed to punish a wrongdoer and deter future similar conduct. They are rarely awarded because they are only permitted when you can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s actions were willful or wanton. For example, if an accident is caused by a severely intoxicated driver, punitive damages may be appropriate.
How a Chicago Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Lawyer Can Help
Your chances of recovering maximum compensation for your damages are much greater when a Chicago uninsured or underinsured motorists lawyer represents you. Your lawyer can investigate your accident to identify all possible causes and potentially liable parties to ensure maximum sources of compensation.
They can help you file a claim against your UM/UIM carrier for compensation when the at-fault driver does not have insurance or their coverage is insufficient. Your attorney can help establish the full value of your damages and protect you against the insurance company’s attempts to deny or devalue your claim.
If you do not have UM/UIM coverage, your lawyer can help identify other sources of compensation to pay your damages, including determining what other assets and sources of income the at-fault party may have that could be used to pay your compensation.
Contact Meyers & Flowers Trial Attorneys Today
If you have been injured in an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, you need the assistance of an experienced Chicago uninsured or underinsured motorist lawyer to recover the compensation you deserve.
At Meyers & Flowers, our attorneys have recovered over $6 billion for our clients and we are committed to helping you recover maximum compensation for your damages. Call (630) 280-3771 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.