Maine is an “at-fault state” and requires all motorists to carry minimum insurance coverage.
If someone crashes into you, their insurance should cover your losses—but this is not always the case.
The negligent driver may leave the scene or have limited or no insurance, leaving you unsure what to do.
If you are seriously injured and the at-fault motorist will not be able to cover your losses, discuss your situation with a seasoned attorney.
A Bangor underinsured/uninsured motorist claims lawyer at Mann Law could help pursue compensation from your own insurance company and handle every aspect of your claim, allowing you to focus on healing.
To get started, contact us today.
Many people do not understand how their Maine automobile insurance policy can work for them.
Suppose you are in a vehicular crash and the other driver is at fault but flees or does not carry any or enough coverage to compensate you.
Maine’s insurance policies require some of the highest minimum underinsured/uninsured motorist (UI/UM) coverage in the country. Your passengers are also covered under these amounts.
Along with liability and property coverage, you must carry:
For example, say you sustain $100,000 in bodily and property damage after a reckless motorist hits your car.
If the motorist has a $50,000 policy limit for bodily injury per person, your insurance company will pay the additional $50,000 from your uninsured/underinsured coverage.
Our knowledgeable Bangor personal injury attorneys can further explain how to get you adequately compensated after a motor vehicle accident.
The Insurance Research Council estimates that about one in eight Americans is uninsured.
Many others who abide by Maine’s mandatory insurance coverage may not carry enough to fully compensate you for your losses.
If you are in this situation, your UI/UM coverage can help pay for:
You will want to document the accident to maximize your compensation from an at-fault driver’s insurance coverage and your UI/UM coverage.
One critical piece of evidence is the police report, in which the attending officer will determine the at-fault driver and record witness statements.
Make notes about what happened and take pictures with your cell phone if possible.
Make sure to keep copies of the hospital, doctor, therapy, and pharmaceutical bills, along with any photos or other expenses that document your injuries and resulting expenses.
Keep this evidence with information about others involved in the crash, such as their names, addresses, and insurance information.
Work with a skilled attorney with experience negotiating with insurers on uninsured motorist claims.
The team at Mann Law has handled these cases on both sides and can help you file insurance claims, including under your UI/UM coverage.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays your damages when you are hit by a driver who has no insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to fully cover your losses. Maine requires insurers to offer both types of coverage, though drivers may decline them in writing. If you have this coverage and are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Bangor, it can be a critical source of compensation.
After an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, you would file a claim with your own insurance company under your UM or UIM policy. The process can be surprisingly adversarial since your own insurer is effectively on the other side of the table. Having an attorney represent you during this process helps ensure that your insurer does not take advantage of the situation to undervalue or deny a valid claim.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are not enough to cover your damages, you can make a claim against your own UIM coverage for the gap between the other driver’s limits and your actual losses. For example, if your damages are $100,000 and the at-fault driver only has $25,000 in coverage, your UIM policy may cover the remaining $75,000 up to your own policy limits. Mann Law helps you navigate both claims simultaneously.
Yes, unfortunately. Your own insurer can and does dispute these claims, question the severity of your injuries, or argue that the coverage does not apply in your situation. Having an attorney advocate for you levels the playing field. Mann Law has experience navigating these disputes and will not let an insurance company take advantage of the fact that you are filing against your own policy.
Any car collision is devastating and stressful. You may be even more stressed if the responsible party is uninsured or underinsured.
However, your Maine auto insurance should have coverage to compensate you if you are the victim of a hit-and-run or a collision caused by an underinsured motorist.
A Bangor underinsured/uninsured motorist claims lawyer at Mann Law can explain your rights and help you obtain the resources you need to make your best recovery.
This is about so much more than the compensation you deserve—call today and let us help you move forward with your life.
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