Auto Accident: Do I Need An Attorney For An Uninsured Motorist Claim?

Brett Goodson

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 680

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Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage is among the most valuable coverage you can have in Ohio. The state legislature, always slow to help consumers, has not raised the auto insurance minimums in over 30 years. That means there are still a lot of people driving around with only $12,500 in liability coverage. It is imperative that responsible Ohio drivers protect themselves from those drivers who are uninsured (no insurance) and those who are underinsured ($12,500 in liability limits).

What happens if I’m injured by an uninsured/underinsured motorist? Do I need a lawyer? Won’t my insurance company take care of me? The answers to these questions are clear. You need to file an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company. Yes, you need a lawyer, and, no, your own insurance company will not take care of you. In fact, despite the fact that you may be a loyal customer of State Farm/ Allstate/Nationwide and have paid premiums to them for years, upon receiving notice of your encounter with an uninsured driver, your own company will take the side of that uninsured driver and try to blame the accident on YOU. If they can’t blame you for the accident, they will try to prove you weren’t injured or that your injuries are only minimal. These insurance companies are only trying to increase profits for their shareholders at the expense of their policyholders.

Hiring an attorney early in the process is best. Your insurance company is your adversary – not your friend. An experienced attorney can and will assist you in bringing your claim to a fair resolution. If your insurance company isn’t fair, you may have to file suit against them. It’s a necessary last resort against insurance companies that don’t want to be fair. Stand up for yourself and don’t get pushed around. The insurance you purchased should pay the benefits promised by the contract.