Maryland law requires that all drivers have car
insurance, but not everyone follows the law.
According to the Insurance Information Institute,
approximately 1 in 8 drivers in Maryland is
uninsured. That's why Maryland also requires drivers
to have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage
as part of their car insurance. UM coverage steps in
when you're hit by an uninsured driver and covers
your damages up to the policy limit. There are steps
you can take to make sure your UM claim goes
smoothly.
Before the Accident: Get as Much UM
Insurance as You Can Afford
Maryland requires drivers to have a minimum of
$30,000 in UM insurance. You are not limited by
this amount, however. With the skyrocketing costs
of medical bills, $30,000 may not take care of you
if you've been seriously injured by an uninsured
driver. That's why it's important to get extra UM
insurance.
Call the Police
Even in a minor accident, a police accident report
can be helpful when dealing with insurance
companies. Let the police determine who they
believe to be at fault.
Gather Information
Get the name and license plate number of the other
driver involved in the accident. Take a picture of
the other driver's license. Since they don't have
insurance in our scenario, there's no insurance
information to gather.
Document the Scene
Use your phone to take pictures of the vehicles
involved in the accident and the scene where the
accident occurred. Take photos of any street signs
or landmarks in the area.
Get Medical Treatment for Your
Injuries
Even if you feel like your injuries aren't
serious, you should still be examined by a
doctor. Often injuries caused by car accidents
aren't immediately apparent. Even in crashes
involving minor impact, you can still sustain a
serious injury. Go to the emergency room or see
your primary care provider as soon as you can.
File a Claim With Your Insurance
Company
Most insurance policies require that you file a
claim within 30 days of the accident. It's best
to file your claim as soon as possible. If the
uninsured driver is at fault, your UM coverage
will kick in and cover your damages up to the
policy limits.
Report the Uninsured Driver
In the interests of reducing the number of
uninsured drivers on the road, you can report
the uninsured driver involved in your accident
to the Insurance Compliance Divisionof the
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. The
driver will have to show proof of insurance
within 30 days or face the loss of their
vehicle registration.
Contact an Experienced Personal
Injury Attorney
Issues involving insurance and uninsured
drivers can be complicated. That's why if
you've been injured by an uninsured motorist,
you should contact an experienced personal
injury attorney to help you with your claim.
At Alpert Schreyer, LP we have over 30 years
of experience helping injured people receive
the compensation they deserve. Contact us
online or call us at 1-844-MDCRASH to
schedule your free consultation.
