A car accident can cause catastrophic injuries and property damage, even when the car is not speeding. The costs of treating and rehabilitating severe injuries often mount quickly, and victims often miss work while recovering.
The Illinois Department of Transportation estimated that the cost of all car crashes in Illinois in 2020 was $5.5 billion. An incapacitating injury can cost $99,610, but a fatality can be up to $1,725,020.
Auto insurance coverage protects all drivers and injured parties in an accident. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance coverage, you can file an uninsured claim with your insurance company.
If you were in an accident with an uninsured driver, work with a car accident attorney at Nessler & Associates before you speak to your insurance company’s adjuster. We can help you understand your car insurance policy’s limits and negotiate with the adjuster on your behalf to get the compensation you deserve.
What is Mandatory Auto Insurance Coverage in Illinois?
Illinois law requires that all drivers carry liability insurance, including uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. Every driver must carry the following minimum insurance requirements:
- $25,000 for bodily injury (BI) liability for one injured person or fatality
- $50,000 for BI liability per accident
- $20,000 for property damage liability
- $25,000 for uninsured motorist BI (UM) for one injured person
- $50,000 for UM per accident
Your auto insurance policy may require physical damage coverage. This physical damage coverage includes collision coverage in case of damage caused by another car.
If you don’t have physical damage in your policy, uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD) can cover any property damage to your vehicle from the at-fault, identified uninsured driver. The maximum amount of coverage is $15,000.
The state recommends that drivers buy a higher auto policy limit than the mandatory minimum amounts. A higher auto policy limit can shield their finances from lawsuits and protect their financial interests.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
If an uninsured driver injures you, you can file a claim under your auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist coverage. It pays for injuries caused by an uninsured driver up to your auto insurance policy’s limit.
In Illinois, uninsured motorist claims must be filed through your own automobile policy. Your ability to gain compensation from your auto insurance company depends on whether you can prove it was the other driver’s fault and if they lack auto insurance coverage. Our team of experienced attorneys at Nessler & Associates can help you put together a claim that complies with the rules of your auto insurance company.
How an Illinois Car Accident Lawyer Can Help with an Uninsured Driver’s Claim
When you hire a lawyer from Nessler & Associates, we can provide the following legal services after an accident involving an uninsured driver.
Review the Details of Your Uninsured Drivers’ Claim
We can examine the police report, photographs, and videos from the accident and your medical records to understand the facts of your uninsured claim. We can also estimate the compensation amount based on the costs of your medical bills and lost wages.
Repair costs for your vehicle are also considered if your insurance policy has physical damage coverage.
File Your Claim on Time
Your auto insurance company has a strict time limit for filing an uninsured motorist claim. However, Illinois requires the insurance company to communicate with you within 21 days of you notifying them. Your attorney can ensure your claim is filed promptly to avoid a denial of service.
Negotiate with the Auto Insurance Company
The insurance company may use tactics to reduce the value of your claim or deny it by disputing that your medical expenses are excessive. They may even point out that your injuries seem unrelated to your accident.
We can advocate for you and negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. We can emphasize the severity of your injuries, the extent of the accident, and how those injuries affected your quality of life.
We can refer to your medical records and photos of your injuries to show the accident’s impact on your physical health and financial resources. These tactics may help you recover a fair settlement from your auto insurance company.
Take Your Claim to Court
If we cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, we can suggest that you take your claim to court. We can file all the necessary paperwork with the court and guide you through the legal process of suing in court. We can fight to protect your legal rights to compensation after your accident.
The UM/UIM Lawyers at Nessler & Associates
After an auto accident with an uninsured driver, you can protect your legal interests with the personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Nessler & Associates. Our team can pursue your uninsured motorist claim with the insurance company and take your claim to court if necessary.
We work on contingency, meaning we do not collect any legal fees unless we reach a settlement or verdict in your case. Working with us gives you a better chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
Call us at (800) 727-8010 for a free consultation.