Louisville Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Claims

How big of a problem is the issue of uninsured motorists? According to the Insurance Information Institute, 18.7% of Kentucky drivers are not insured. That puts it at number six of the top ten states with the most uninsured drivers. That is despite the fact that an uninsured driver can be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to 90 days in jail.

Uninsured drivers might also be the motivation for hit-and-run drivers. After all, if a driver doesn’t have insurance and they cause an accident, they might not want to be held responsible. Hit-and-run accidents can also happen to your parked car. Someone could sideswipe or back into your car and drive off without leaving a note. This is a significant problem.

According to the Kentucky State Police, in 2022, there were 11,012 hit-and-run collisions across the state. Those accidents resulted in 1,206 injuries and 10,029 property damage incidents. Most of those accidents happened on city streets.

Kentucky requires every driver to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage and personal injury protection. The following are the minimum requirements set by the state:

• $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 liability coverage for damage per accident
• $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP)

The liability insurance is in case you are found to be at fault in an accident. The PIP insurance is meant to cover your injuries directly. You can add additional policies to your insurance for uninsured/underinsured motorists. That would provide the benefits directly to you without having to chase down a third party.

The challenge arises when your insurance benefits don’t equal the losses you’ve incurred. There could also be an issue with your insurance denying a claim. After all, how can you prove that someone else hit your parked car if they drove off and there was no witness? When facing a challenge with a Louisville uninsured/underinsured motorist accident claim, an attorney can help you navigate these complex scenarios and may be able to find surveillance footage that can help resolve your case.

If you’ve gotten into an accident with an uninsured motorist, they need to be found at fault before you can proceed with a claim. Once that has been established, your attorney can help you gather your documentation and help you organize your insurance claim. That claim will either be accepted, rejected, or returned with a lower amount offered. If the amount offered is not satisfactory, you can opt to take legal action.

Your claim can potentially be filed against the insurance company and/or the uninsured motorist. That motorist might have savings or other assets that could be used to compensate for your losses.

The uninsured motorist attorneys at McCoy & Hiestand, PLC have direct experience with these types of complex accident claims. We can help find a remedy even in a hit-and-run accident scenario. Our first steps require gathering evidence, collecting testimony, and assessing your needs and losses. That can all begin with a free case evaluation. Call to schedule that important talk today.