If you’ve been hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be the one left holding the bag for medical bills, lost wages, car repairs, and more. Yet far too often, that’s exactly what happens to innocent crash victims in Kentucky and Indiana.
By law, Kentucky and Indiana drivers must carry liability insurance coverage to care for the people they hurt. But not everyone follows the law, and the minimum coverage amounts don’t go very far when people are seriously injured.
The good news is that there may be other sources of coverage available, including in your own auto insurance policy. But that also means more claims to make, and more fighting against insurance companies that don’t have your best interests at heart and are looking to settle for as little as possible.
An experienced Louisville and Jeffersonville accident lawyer can help you identify all applicable sources of coverage and negotiate the best possible settlement. If you need help, please call us at (502) 222-2222 for a free case evaluation, or request one online.
Hurt in a Car Wreck? Chances Are the Other Driver Isn’t Carrying Enough Insurance
Too many drivers on the road either don’t have any car insurance, or very minimal coverage.
Under both Indiana and Kentucky law, drivers must carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per injured person, and $50,000 per accident. But it’s also estimated that roughly 15% of drivers are uninsured. And if you’ve suffered serious injuries requiring extensive treatment or surgery, long-term or even permanent disability, and significant pain and suffering, the minimum coverage won’t be enough to meet your needs.
When the at-fault driver’s insurance policies won’t fully cover your losses, you’re left with a few options:
- Sue the at-fault driver directly and try to get them to pay you out of pocket. However, this process is challenging—especially if they don’t have many assets.
- another liable party, such as the driver’s employer or the manufacturer of a defective auto part
- File claims with your own insurance company, if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist or personal injury protection coverage
You Deserve an Attorney Who Will Fight for You
If you’re not sure where to start, Karl Truman Law Office can help. Our lawyers have a reputation for uncovering at-fault parties and insurance policies after a wreck.
For over 25 years we have fought aggressively for injured people, on cases big and small. You deserve an experienced, accomplished attorney who will be honest with you about your legal options and the realistic outcome of your case and will work hard to get you the best possible result in a timely manner.
“Everyone at Karl Truman was very professional and constantly kept me updated with my case. They seemed concerned and didn’t treat me like another case. They constantly explained everything that was happening and what to expect next. I would highly recommend them to anyone in an accident.”
– Susan S.
Your initial consultation and case evaluation is always 100% free, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with one of our car accident attorneys about your situation. To find out if we can help you, call us at (502) 222-2222 or contact us online
Protecting Yourself and Your Family: Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Even if you are the most careful driver you know, even if you’ve never been in an accident before, you can get in an accident at any time because of other drivers or factors beyond your control.
Because you can’t predict getting in an accident, it’s important to have adequate auto insurance coverage to protect yourself and your family members from unnecessary financial strife following the accident. This includes:
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM). This car insurance policy kicks in if you’re involved in a crash with an uninsured driver, or the victim of a hit and run accident and the at-fault driver cannot be identified. It allows your own auto insurance to stand in place of the other driver’s liability coverage.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM). This insurance works similarly to UM coverage. If your personal injury claim is worth more than the maximum amount of coverage provided by the other driver’s liability insurance, you can file an insurance claim under your UIM policy to recover additional damages.
- Personal injury protection (PIP). PIP insurance is “no fault” coverage that can pay for medical expenses and lost wages, but not non-economic damages like pain and suffering. It applies even if you caused the crash. Unless declined in writing, PIP insurance is mandatory for Kentucky drivers before they can make a claim against another driver. For Indiana drivers, PIP is optional.
How Much UM/UIM Insurance Do You Need?
There’s a good chance you’re already paying for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and don’t even realize it’s already part of your policy. In both Kentucky and Indiana, auto insurers must offer it to you, and if you don’t want it, you must decline in writing.
If you aren’t sure whether you have UM/UIM coverage, check the declarations page of your insurance policy. You should be able to change your coverage at any time, not just once your policy is up for renewal.
It can be difficult to know how much insurance coverage is enough to protect you and your family. As a general rule, we recommend that you purchase as much coverage as you can realistically and reasonably afford. Again, there’s no way to predict when you might be injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, and more coverage means you’re more likely to walk away with a large enough settlement to care for you and your loved ones.
Don’t Expect an Easy Time With Your Own Auto Insurance Company
Sadly, having enough coverage isn’t the same as getting a fair settlement. You might think that your own insurance company would be a lot easier to deal with than the other driver’s. But sadly, this is rarely the case.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a customer or faithfully paid your premiums. As soon as you make an uninsured motorist claim or underinsured motorist claim, you are now the opposition. Your goals are no longer their goals, and they will do whatever they can to reduce the amount of benefits they owe you.
Many auto insurance companies use a variety of tactics to deny, delay, or reduce payment of your claim. For example, they might try to trick you into making a statement they can twist to make it look like you’re accepting part of the blame. They might also try to underplay the severity of your injuries, or undervalue the long-term costs of your medical treatment, replacement services, and other financial losses.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
It’s normal to feel frustrated, frightened, or even helpless after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured negligent driver. At a time like this, you need an experienced car accident lawyer to deal with the insurance company and get you the compensation you’re entitled to.
Concrete ways your attorney can help include:
- Finding all possible sources of insurance coverage. Do you have a UM/UIM policy? Is there another possibly liable party, such as a faulty equipment manufacturer or a bar that knowingly overserved a drunk driver? Your attorney can help you find out.
- fault. Your attorney will fully investigate the crash to prove what really happened—even if the other driver fled the scene or isn’t being truthful.
- Accurately calculating your damages and negotiating the best possible settlement under whatever insurance policies apply.
- Negotiating with healthcare providers and other lien holders to settle your crash-related debt for less than what you owe. This is especially important in cases where the total recovery of all available policy limits still isn’t enough money to cover your expenses. But in any case, it helps increase the amount of money that goes back into your pocket at the end of the case.
- Treating you with respect and dignity, answering all your questions, and putting your mind at ease so you can focus on health and healing—not legal battles.
Count on the Colonel
At the Karl Truman Law Office, our attorneys know how to help auto accident victims get back on their feet after a serious injury or death. We can help you determine whether you have coverage for a car crash involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist, and then we will fight to make sure you get the full amount to which you are entitled.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, please contact the Karl Truman Law Office for a free consultation by calling us at 812-282-8500 or (502) 222-2222. You can also reach an experienced Louisville accident lawyer by completing the form on this website.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
