Aggressive drivers are responsible for many of the deadly accidents on American roads. If you have lost a loved one due to the actions of an aggressive driver, contact our firm to learn about your legal rights and options.
Columbia, Missouri, Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers
If you have been seriously injured in an automobile accident or if you have lost a loved one in a car crash as a result of someone else's negligence, then you should consider consulting an experienced attorney about your options for compensation. Insurance companies have a vested interest in keeping costs low, and without strong representation you may not have the resources you and your family need to pursue full and fair compensation.
Our attorneys at Holder Susan Slusher Oxenhandler provide strong, knowledgeable and client focused personal injury representation to families and individuals. We understand the burden that a serious accident can inflict on a family, and we will help you recover the compensation your family needs to move forward while holding the right people responsible.
Know your rights, and understand your options when you or a loved one has suffered in a serious motor vehicle accident.
Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation and case review.
Thank you for contacting Holder Susan Slusher Oxenhandler. Your message has been sent.
Call us now
or use the form below.
A car accident can lead to serious, life changing injury or even wrongful death, and the results can impact families for years to come on an emotional, physical and financial level. Our attorneys will review your case and help you understand how a personal injury claim can hold people accountable for the damage they cause.
Contact us at the office of Holder Susan Slusher Oxenhandler in Columbia, Missouri, today for a free initial consultation and case review.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
When a driver refuses or is unable to carry proper motor vehicle insurance, that driver puts more than just him- or herself at risk. If the driver injures another person, the insurance will be inadequate to cover the damages. Injured parties, however, may be covered by their own insurance policies; uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims in these cases. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact Holder Susan Slusher Oxenhandler in Columbia, Missouri, schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney to create a plan of action.
Uninsured Motorists
Even if your state requires all drivers to carry auto insurance, the driver who injured you or your passenger may not have had insurance. Or you may have been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, making it impossible to identify the driver at all.
This is when uninsured motorist coverage will step in to protect your interests. Many states require auto insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage. If your insurance company offers uninsured motorist coverage, and you chose to include it in your policy, then your insurance company will act as if it were the at-fault driver's insurance company in compensating you.
When you file an uninsured motorist claim, your insurance company's interests can be adverse to your interests. Consulting with an attorney before filing a claim is wise.
Underinsured Motorists
When the at-fault driver is underinsured, this means that the driver has purchased an auto insurance policy that does not provide enough coverage to compensate you for your damages. If you have underinsured motorist coverage as part of your insurance policy, you may be able to collect, from your own insurance company, the amount of your damages that exceeds the at-fault driver's insurance coverage.
Collecting Insurance Benefits Under an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Policy
To recover benefits under an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, the victim typically will need to show that the other motorist was at fault. The victim will also need to prove that his or her bodily injuries were significant. To collect benefits under an underinsured motorist policy, the victim will need to collect as much as possible from the at-fault driver's insurance company first.
Stacking Insurance Coverage
In some states and under some insurance policies, an injured party may "stack" various policies to reach a satisfactory level of compensation. By stacking coverage from more than one auto insurance policy — or coverage for more than one car on a single policy — the injured party increases monetary recovery. Stackable coverage is not allowed in every state; in some cases, the insured must choose to have stackable coverage upon purchasing the policy.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims when they are most vulnerable. Not every policy has such coverage, however, and the victim's approach to the situation can change the level of compensation he or she receives. Indeed, some rules do not require the victim's insurance company to pay the victim if the victim settles prematurely with the at-fault motorist's insurance company. This is why it is so important to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer from Holder Susan Slusher Oxenhandler in Columbia, Missouri.
Copyright © 2012 FindLaw, a Thomson Reuters business
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
