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In Louisiana, car accident claims are handled on a traditional fault system. This means that when you’re involved in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you’ll go through the responsible person’s insurance company to pursue compensation.
While this is most often the case, you may find yourself in a difficult situation if the other driver doesn’t have adequate insurance coverage. Louisiana implements limits that all drivers must adhere to, yet there’s still roughly 13% of drivers who don’t have insurance at all.
If you are injured in an accident and the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance, it’s essential to have uninsured motorist coverage. Below, we’ll explain the importance of this coverage and how it protects you should suffer harm at the hands of an uninsured driver.
Handling Uninsured Motorist Claims
Despite the state’s at-fault insurance system, an accident involving an uninsured driver means you cannot pursue the negligent person’s insurance company. Instead, you have to go through your own insurance company using an uninsured motorist claim.
Unfortunately, not everyone recognizes the importance of this coverage. If you don’t have this type of coverage, it can be hard to get the compensation you deserve. Even more devastating is when you have this type of coverage, yet your insurance company tries to deny your claim.
Why You Should Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Many people overlook uninsured motorist coverage because they think about the added costs on their premium. However, if you don’t have this coverage, you run the risk of being unable to file a claim in this type of accident. Of course, there are other types of coverage you can have that can potentially help you, but you should recognize your rights with the help of an attorney.
There’s also underinsured motorist coverage that covers you should the other driver have insurance, but your damages exceed the limits. In Louisiana, the auto insurance limits dictate that drivers must carry at least $15,000 in bodily injury coverage per person involved in an accident. If your damages go beyond this amount, you can also go through your own underinsured coverage to recover the rest of the compensation.
Uninsured motorist coverage can also help should you find yourself in a hit and run accident. In a crash where the negligent driver leaves the scene, there’s no way of knowing who he or she used for insurance. Uninsured motorist lets you go through your own insurance provider to seek the compensation you need.
Protect Your Rights with Our Monroe Car Accident Lawyers
Insurance companies are not always on the lookout to protect claimants unless they can benefit from it as well. If your own insurance company is trying to increase your premium for filing an uninsured motorist claim or they’re denying your rights for a policy for which you pay, you have the right to protect yourself.
In many situations, claim denials can lead to lawsuits. It’s important for you to have legal counsel on your side who knows the insurance companies inside and out. Working with a dedicated lawyer allows you to understand your policy and the tactics the insurance company may try to use to wrongfully deny your claim.
If you find yourself in a difficult situation involving your insurance company, you should work with our Monroe car accident attorneys to pursue the compensation you need and deserve after an accident. At Parker Alexander, we make it our top priority to protect your rights through the complex matters that lie ahead. We’ll focus on your best interests every step of the way.
Call our team today at (318) 625-6262 to discuss your potential case with our team. We offer free consultations to help you understand your rights without worrying about a financial obligation.