Greenville Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney

If you were in a car accident with an uninsured motorist in Greenville, South Carolina, you could still have options for seeking compensation for your injuries. Typically, injured people file liability claims against the at-fault party’s auto insurance policy. However, that is not possible if the at-fault party does not have auto insurance or if the at-fault driver fled the scene and is never found.

Under South Carolina law, your automobile insurance policy must include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, and you may be able to recover compensation through a UM claim against your own policy.

Contact The Melonakos Law Firm for a free consultation with a knowledgeable and experienced uninsured driver lawyer about your auto accident case. One of our attorneys will review the accident details and explain your options for seeking the compensation you need, including filing an uninsured motorist claim or personal injury lawsuit, or identifying additional at-fault parties.

What You Need to Know About Uninsured Motorist Coverage in South Carolina

South Carolina requires all drivers to have liability insurance that covers damage resulting from accidents caused by the driver or someone else driving their vehicle. The minimum amounts of liability insurance drivers need include:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

On top of liability coverage, drivers must also carry uninsured motorist coverage. The UM coverage must meet the same minimum required amounts as the liability limits of your car insurance coverage.

While state law mandates liability auto insurance coverage, some drivers make the unwise decision to operate a motor vehicle without insurance.

If a motorist without car insurance caused the accident that harmed you, rather than filing an insurance claim against their nonexistent liability coverage, you can file a claim with your own policy’s UM coverage. However, just because you are filing a claim with “your” insurer does not mean the insurance company is on your side.

Like any other insurance company, your auto insurance provider wants to pay as little as possible. It may attempt to do that by offering a low settlement in the hope that you do not know the true value of your claim. That is why it is essential for you to get help from a skilled UM accident lawyer who can protect your rights and help maximize your compensation.

What to Do After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver in Greenville

After an accident with an uninsured driver in Greenville, it is crucial that you follow up on your medical treatment until you make a full recovery. If you do not follow up on your treatment, your insurance company may use it as evidence that your injuries are not as severe as you say and deny or devalue your UM claim.

Any time you receive a medical or other service bill related to the accident, keep it in a file. Your lawyer can use the bills when calculating the value of your case.

It is also important to report the accident to your insurance company. Even if you do not believe you are at fault for the accident, you should report it just in case you have to file an uninsured motorist claim. The exact amount of time you have to report the accident may be found in your policy’s fine print, and an experienced car accident lawyer can help you determine it and make the report for you.

After reporting the accident, remember not to speak to an insurance adjuster without your lawyer present. If your insurance company contacts you for a statement about the accident, politely decline to speak with them and direct them to your lawyer.

Do not try to handle your case on your own. Our uninsured motorist accident lawyers have extensive experience handling these kinds of cases and can help you seek maximum compensation.

Types of Compensation Available Through UM Insurance Claims

Through your uninsured motorist insurance claim, you can seek compensation for the following types of losses caused by the car accident:

• Medical expenses – Most auto insurance claims seek compensation for past and future medical bills, including medical devices, treatments, prescription medications, physical therapy, surgeries, and emergency room care.
• Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from working during your recovery or impact your ability to work long term, you can seek compensation for your past and future lost income.
• Pain and suffering – You can also recover compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you endured because of the car accident.
• Property damage – Depending on the severity and extent of the damage the collision caused, your vehicle may need repairs or replacement after the accident.

Common Challenges in Greenville Uninsured Motorist Cases

Victims of car accidents caused by uninsured motorists in Greenville, SC, face particular challenges that victims of other types of car accidents do not. Some examples of common challenges are:

• Identifying the at-fault party – Uninsured motorist coverage does not apply only when the at-fault party does not have auto insurance. It also applies in hit-and-run cases, where the at-fault party cannot be identified, so you cannot file a liability claim against their insurance policy.
• Exceeding UM policy limits – Many drivers have the minimum required amount of uninsured motorist coverage. Unfortunately, that means your policy limits may cap the compensation you can recover, particularly if you sustained serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment.
• Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit – If your uninsured motorist coverage does not cover your expenses and the at-fault driver can be identified, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit against them to seek additional compensation. However, depending on the personal assets the at-fault party has, it may be challenging to recover the compensation you need.

How The Melonakos Law Firm Can Help with Your Uninsured Motorist Claim

Our uninsured motorist claims lawyers stand fully prepared to handle the unique challenges your case presents. We can investigate the accident to identify the driver and other at-fault parties we may be able to hold financially liable, including scenarios involving an Uber accident lawyer in Greenville or Lyft accident lawyer in Greenville. We can gather supporting evidence, including accident scene photographs, traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony. And we can negotiate with insurance companies to seek a settlement for your case that covers all of your losses.

If you were injured in a Greenville car accident caused by an uninsured motorist, contact The Melonakos Law Firm now for a free consultation. Our uninsured driver attorneys will explain your options for seeking compensation and answer any questions you have about your case.