What to Do If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Motorist in Nashville
Getting in a car accident is already a stressful event—throw in finding out that the person who hit you doesn’t have car insurance and you’ve got a frustrating dilemma on your hands.
Suing an uninsured driver for damages may seem impossible, and at the same time you yourself may be suffering from injuries sustained in the accident, lost wages from being unable to work, and mounting medical bills.
So what do you do if you’re hit by an uninsured motorist in Nashville? Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys explains everything you need to know, including your legal options.
An Overview of Car Insurance Minimums in Tennessee
Car insurance minimums include the following provisions:
- Bodily Injury Liability. Motorists must carry coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- Property Damage Liability. Motorists must have property damage coverage of at least $15,000 per accident.
Unfortunately, Tennessee car insurance minimums only apply to others in an accident you caused. And although car insurance is required by law, an alarming study by the Insurance Information Institute in 2015 found that as many as 20% of Tennessee motorists were uninsured.
Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim With Your Insurance Company
In order to obtain coverage for yourself in case of an accident with an uninsured driver, you will have to purchase additional uninsured motorist injury and property damage insurance. You can also supplement your minimum coverage with other options like collision coverage or medical pay (often called medpay).
If you choose to file an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance, keep in mind that you may face roadblocks in trying to get your claim approved and obtaining a fair settlement amount. Car insurance companies have been known to deny and minimize claims even from their own loyal customers. A Nashville personal injury attorney may prove helpful in getting the best settlement possible in the quickest amount of time—allowing you to focus on rest and recovery.
Even with an uninsured motorist payout, you may find that your coverage limit is easily maxed out by the extent of you and your passengers’ injuries and any damage to your vehicle. In such cases, your options would be paying for these expenses out of pocket or suing an uninsured driver for damages.
Filing a Lawsuit Against an Uninsured Nashville Motorist
Even the most cautious drivers can find themselves seriously injured in a car accident due to the negligence of others. And in spite of purchasing additional car insurance coverage, you may still be left with mounting medical bills and other expenses because of an accident you didn’t cause.
In cases such as these, you may want to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for the accident. Granted, suing an uninsured driver for damages may prove to be difficult for one reason: many drivers who don’t carry insurance claim they can’t afford their premiums and don’t have a lot of money.
In spite of these complications, a Nashville auto accident lawyer can help you determine whether or not pursuing a claim is worth your time. An uninsured driver who has liquid or tangible assets may be held financially responsible for the cost of your injuries, lost wages, and even your pain and suffering.
Get a Free Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney
Find out if suing an uninsured motorist for damages is the right legal option for you. Contact the personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys today to schedule your free no obligation case review and consultation. Reach us by calling 615-333-8888, chatting with a representative using our LiveChat service, or by sending us a message through our secure contact form.