If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist in Gulfport, Mississippi, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how you will cover your medical costs or pay for your property damage. Luckily, you have the law on your side.
A Gulfport uninsured car accident attorney can help you explore different options following your collision. You may be entitled to seek damages. Our law firm knows how to examine an insurance policy and determine what steps to take to help you recover the compensation you need.
How Common Are Uninsured Drivers?
Though drivers are required to have auto insurance, many motorists choose to drive with little or no insurance. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Mississippi had the second-highest rate of uninsured motorists in the United States in 2015, with an estimated 23.7 percent of drivers operating vehicles without any insurance.
For a free legal consultation with a Uninsured Car Accident lawyer serving Gulfport, call 800-537-8185
Understanding Mississippi Uninsured Motorist Coverage
According to Mississippi Code § 83-11-101, every auto insurance policy must contain uninsured motorist coverage. The only way that your insurance policy would not contain this coverage is if you waived it in writing.
Under-insured drivers are treated the same as uninsured drivers. So as long as you have uninsured motorist coverage, you are protected in accidents with under-insured drivers.
Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer if You Have Insurance?
The problem is that sometimes accidents are severe and cause enormous amounts of damage and life-altering injuries, so your uninsured motorist coverage alone may not be enough. The at-fault driver may have little or no insurance available to pay for the damages, but you should not have to pay for the repercussions of an accident that was not your fault.
A Gulfport uninsured car accident lawyer can help you understand what options you may have after an accident with an uninsured or under-insured driver. They can examine your insurance policy to confirm that you have uninsured motorist coverage and if it is not enough to cover your damages, look for other types of insurance or alternatives that could provide relief.
It is important to know, however, that even if you are making a claim with your own insurance company, and even if you made every premium payment on time, the insurance company may try to minimize the amount that they have to pay you. Our lawyers can provide the same level of representation they would in other car accident cases to help make sure you are treated fairly.
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Options for Recovering Compensation for Your Car Accident
There are some other options available if you did waive your right to uninsured motorist coverage, or if your policy does not provide enough to cover your losses. Some common options include:
Your Own Insurance Policy
If you get into an accident and the driver who is responsible for causing the accident does not carry auto insurance, but you have no uninsured motorist coverage, the next place you should look into is your own insurance policy. For example, some policies include coverage for medical payments, regardless of who is responsible for the accident.
Another example is collision coverage. This type of insurance is typically sold separately from other insurance, so not all drivers carry it. However, it is often required for financed vehicles. Collision coverage is designed to reimburse you for vehicle repairing or replacement costs, minus your deductible.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
In some cases, you may be entitled to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. While this is normally a route a Gulfport uninsured car accident attorney may suggest for clients to help recover their losses, the challenge is that many people who do not carry auto insurance also may not have enough income or assets to make this strategy worthwhile.
Damages Available After an Uninsured Car Accident
There are several types of damages you may be able to recover after an automobile accident. The types of recoverable damages include:
- Hospital stays
- Surgical procedures
- Medication
- Doctor’s examinations
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Future wages
If your loved one died as a result of their injuries after an accident, your family may also be able to recover compensation for:
- Funeral costs
- Medical costs left to the family to pay
- Pain and suffering
Can I Sue if I Wasn’t Injured in a Car Accident?
If you were in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence or reckless behavior, you can sue the driver. You can sue even if you weren’t injured. However, you must have suffered losses from the car crash.
You can sue for damages to recover financial losses if your vehicle was damaged in the accident. You can also sue the at-fault driver to recover the cost of therapy if you suffered emotional distress. Your uninsured car accident attorney in Gulfport can advise you on which damages you may sue for as a result of your accident.
Can I Afford to Hire an Uninsured Car Accident Attorney?
A car crash can leave you too injured to return to work. We understand you may be struggling to pay your regular bills without the added expense of medical treatment. The cost shouldn’t prevent you from seeking legal assistance.
Our uninsured car accident attorneys in Gulfport work on a contingency-fee basis. We don’t charge our clients any out-of-pocket legal fees. We only get paid if and when you win your case.
How Our Gulfport Uninsured Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
If you were involved in an accident with a driver who was uninsured or under-insured, you can seek damages through an insurance claim or a lawsuit. However, it may be challenging to collect the entire amount through a personal injury lawsuit. Our team of expert attorneys can handle negotiations for you.
Let our team of uninsured car accident lawyers in Gulfport review your case for free. We’re available 24/7 to schedule your no-obligation consultation. Call Morris Bart, LTD today to learn more about your legal options.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
