State law requires all motorists in Elgin to obtain an insurance policy. These policies must provide protection against both property damage and bodily harm. Many people who suffer injuries in car accidents will be able to collect full compensation for their losses through a claim against the policies of other drivers.
However, situations do arise where another driver was illegally driving without insurance. In other cases, the insurance policy may not provide sufficient coverage to provide appropriate compensation to an injured party. In both these scenarios, it may be necessary to sue the at-fault driver personally for the necessary payments. An auto crash attorney at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could help you pursue compensation after uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Elgin.
Pursuing Compensation from an Elgin Underinsured Driver
State law requires that every insurance policy offered for sale in the state provide a minimum level of coverage. Specifically, all policies must provide $20,000 in protection for property damage, $25,000 for the injury or death of one person, and no less than $50,000 in protection for injuries to more than one person injured in an accident.
Unfortunately, these minimum protections are not always sufficient to cover the extent of a victim’s losses. Medical bills can often climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Accompanying emotional traumas and missing wages can also quickly raise the value of a case. If the value of a case outpaces a defendant’s insurance coverage, injured people must seek out compensation through lawsuits directed at that driver. A dedicated lawyer at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could determine the extent an insurance policy provides potential compensation and evaluate whether a lawsuit against an at-fault driver could help to recover further damages.
Options when an Elgin At-Fault Driver is Uninsured
State law mandates that all drivers maintain an insurance policy on their vehicles. Specifically, 625 ILCS 5/7-601 says that failing to have these policies while on public roads can result in the payment of fines and a suspension of a driver’s registration.
While these penalties may appear minor, the fact is that driving without insurance threatens the economic well-being of both a car’s owner and victims in collisions. A driver who does not have insurance is wholly liable for their actions while behind the wheel. This means that they are the first source of compensation for people who suffer injuries or property damage because of an uninsured motorist’s poor driving. An experienced attorney at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could take the initiative in pursuing lawsuits for damages from car accidents that name an uninsured driver as a defendant.
In other cases, it may be viable to seek out compensation from one’s own insurance policy. Many major carriers offer uninsured or underinsured motorist protection for when these situations arise. If a defendant’s assets are insufficient to cover a victim’s losses following an accident, these policy provisions could help to cover the costs of medical treatment and lost wages.
Reach out for Help with Elgin Uninsured/Underinsured Car Accident
State law states that all drivers must obtain insurance policies that provide a minimum level of protection. Unfortunately, many drivers choose to ignore this portion of the law. In other cases, their insurance policies may be legal but do not provide sufficient protection to cover your losses. When either of these situations is the case, it may be necessary to explore other options when pursuing compensation.
In both scenarios, an at-fault driver is personally responsible for any uncovered damage. An attorney could take the lead in initiating a civil lawsuit against these parties. It may also be possible to collect compensation through your own insurance policy if it contains an underinsured/uninsured driver provision. Here, a lawyer at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could help to prove that the other driver was to blame for the collision and invoke this portion of your insurance policy. Call today about underinsured/uninsured car accidents in Elgin.
