Approximately one out of every eight drivers in the U.S., or 12.6 percent, is either uninsured or does not have adequate insurance to cover the damages of an auto accident, according to the Insurance Research Council.
Severe auto accidents caused by uninsured drivers can be risky for insured drivers because insurance companies are often reluctant to compensate these types of claims. This makes it difficult to cover the costs of vehicle repairs, medical expenses and lost income.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you should immediately contact a reputable insurance attorney in Phoenix who can help you determine your options for recovering the compensation you deserve.
in Arizona In Arizona, all drivers are required to show proof of financial responsibility by maintaining two types of auto liability insurance coverage:
Motorists who have not purchased the minimum insurance requirements are considered uninsured drivers. They can face harsh penalties if they are caught operating a vehicle, including:
Insurance companies are legally obligated to provide you with the option to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage with your auto insurance policy. This offer must be made in writing and should clearly state the policy limits that you are purchasing, according to A.R.S. § 20-259-.01.
UM is extra coverage that you can purchase to protect you and the passengers in your vehicle for any damages sustained during an accident involving an uninsured driver. This type of insurance prevents you from paying out-of-pocket for damages, like vehicle damage and medical expenses.
Arizona’s vehicle insurance law also prevents insurers from raising the rate of your insurance premium if you file a claim for UM or UIM benefits after an accident caused by another driver, according to A.R.S. § 20-263.
There are three types of UM coverage that insurance companies must provide you the option of purchasing:
Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) is intended to cover you and the passengers in your vehicle from any bodily injury that occurs during an accident caused by an uninsured driver.
This type of coverage will compensate your medical treatment up to the limits you purchased in your policy. If you decide to buy UMBI coverage, your insurer should compensate you for:
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage applies when the uninsured driver is found to be at fault for the accident. This type of insurance will compensate you for the damage inflicted upon your vehicle during the accident.
UIM coverage is purchased along with your UM coverage in your insurance policy and has the same limitations in the amount you can be compensated.
In order to recover compensation from UIM coverage, your damages must be higher than the limits in the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
If you are filing a UM/UIM claim in Arizona, you must follow the state’s three-year statute of limitations to recover compensation from your insurer, as per A.R.S. § 12-555.
For UM claims, you must provide the claim in writing to your insurer within three years after:
For UIM claims, you must make the claim in writing within three years after the date you filed a claim against the at-fault driver or the date you knew or should have known the at-fault driver had insufficient liability insurance.
If you are unable to reach a settlement with your insurer, you must request arbitration or file a lawsuit in accordance with the terms of your insurance contract within three years after providing the written notice of your UM or UIM claim.
Although you may have purchased UM coverage with your insurance policy, it does not guarantee that your insurer will agree to cover your claim.
Do not hesitate to contact an experienced auto accident attorney once you discover the at-fault driver lacks the insurance to cover your injuries and losses.
At the Phillips Law Group, we are ready to help victims of negligent drivers recover the compensation they need to recover after an accident. We will provide you with a free, no obligation consultation to help you find out if you have legal options available. We only work on a contingency fee basis and do not charge any fees for our services unless we recover compensation for your claim.
Call 602-222-222 if you were injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver.
