Even if your state requires all drivers to carry auto insurance, the driver who injured you or your passenger may not have had insurance. Or you may have been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, making it impossible to identify the driver at all.

This is when uninsured motorist coverage will step in to protect your interests. Many states require auto insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage. If your insurance company offers uninsured motorist coverage, and you chose to include it in your policy, then your insurance company will act as if it were the at-fault driver's insurance company in compensating you.

When you file an uninsured motorist claim, your insurance company's interests can be adverse to your interests. Consulting with an attorney before filing a claim is wise.

When the at-fault driver is underinsured, this means that the driver has purchased an auto insurance policy that does not provide enough coverage for your damages. If you have underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to collect, from your own insurance company, the amount of your damages that exceeds the at-fault driver's insurance coverage.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

When a driver refuses or is unable to carry proper motor vehicle insurance, that driver puts more than just him or herself at risk. If the driver injures another person, the insurance will be inadequate to cover the damages.

Injured parties, however, may be covered by their own insurance policies; uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims in these cases.

If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it is important to contact an attorney to create a plan of action.

Un-insured Motorists (UM) & Under-insured Motorists (UIM)

Among other things, an UM or UIM claim must be properly brought within a certain time or it is waived - for good. No exceptions. 

Collecting Insurance Benefits

At-fault driver's insurance company must first be exhausted.

Stacking Insurance Coverage

In some states and under some insurance policies, an injured party may "stack" various policies to reach a satisfactory level of compensation.

By stacking coverage from more than one auto insurance policy - or coverage for more than one car on a single policy - the injured party increases monetary recovery.

Stackable coverage is not allowed in every state; in some cases, the insured must choose to have stackable coverage upon purchasing the policy.

It is important to act now if you have been in a recent Illinois car crash or auto accident to preserve your right to recovering any compensation. Contact Cullotta Law Offices (847) 651-7191 to schedule a FREE case consultation.