Bridgeport, Connecticut Uninsured Driver Accident Attorneys

Lawyers for Accidents Caused by Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists in Bridgeport

A car accident involving a driver who does not have insurance can be a frustrating and frightening situation. Even if you have followed the rules, maintained your own insurance coverage, and driven responsibly, you may face medical bills, expenses related to vehicle repair, and pain from your injuries, and you may struggle financially due to being unable to work while you are recovering. If the at-fault driver does not have the financial resources to pay for the harm they caused, you may be wondering how you will cover your expenses and address your losses.

Connecticut law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone does so. A significant percentage of drivers on the road operate vehicles without proper insurance coverage. When uninsured drivers cause accidents, recovering compensation can be far more complicated than it would be in a typical insurance claim.

The emotional toll of this situation can be just as difficult as the physical injuries and financial losses. You may feel angry that someone who broke the law by driving without insurance has left you to deal with the consequences. You might worry about how you will pay for ongoing medical treatment or handle regular expenses. Understanding your options for recovery, including the insurance coverage you already have in place, can provide a path forward during this challenging time.

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our car accident lawyers can help you determine your options in these situations. We will work with you to determine what sources of compensation may be available, including the coverage provided to you under your personal auto insurance policy. We will advocate on your behalf, refusing to allow insurance companies to take advantage of you, and we will not rest until you receive the full coverage you deserve.

Challenges in Accidents With Uninsured Drivers

When an uninsured driver causes your accident, several significant obstacles may stand between you and fair compensation. The most obvious problem is the lack of available insurance to cover your damages. In a typical car accident claim, you would file a claim against the at-fault driver's liability insurance policy. Their insurance company would pay for your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and other losses, up to the policy limits. Without insurance coverage, this straightforward process is not available.

You could attempt to sue the uninsured driver directly and obtain a court judgment requiring them to pay damages. However, people who drive without insurance often lack the financial assets to pay a judgment. They may have limited income, no significant savings, and few assets that could be used to pay the amount owed. Even if you win your case in court, collecting the money you are owed can prove extremely difficult or impossible.

The financial burden may fall on you immediately after the accident. Emergency room visits, ambulance transportation, diagnostic tests, and other types of medical treatment may generate large bills. If your injuries prevent you from working, your household income may drop at precisely the moment when expenses are increasing. Vehicle repairs or replacement can create additional costs that will need to be addressed right away.

The stress of dealing with an uninsured driver accident can extend beyond your finances. You may feel helpless or victimized by a system that seems to offer no recourse. Even if a driver may face criminal penalties for driving without insurance, a criminal case will do nothing to address your immediate needs.

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects You

Uninsured motorist coverage exists specifically to address the situation you are facing. This insurance coverage is part of your own auto insurance policy, and it can provide compensation when you are injured by a driver who does not have liability insurance.

This coverage functions similarly to a liability claim against the at-fault driver's insurance, but you will file the claim with your own insurance company. You will need to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident and that you suffered injuries and losses due to the crash. The difference is that your own insurance company will provide compensation rather than the at-fault driver's insurer.

Uninsured motorist may pay for:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and other treatment costs
• Lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working
• Loss of future earning capacity if permanent injuries affect your ability to work
• Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

Your insurance company has a duty to handle your uninsured motorist claim fairly and in good faith. However, insurance companies are businesses focused on protecting their profits, and in order to do so, they will often try to minimize payouts. They may dispute the extent of your injuries or offer a settlement that will not fully cover your damages. Our attorneys can work with you to make sure your insurance company treats you fairly and honors the coverage you have been paying for.

Understanding Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Underinsured motorist coverage can address a related problem. When the at-fault driver has liability insurance, but the policy limits are too low to cover the full extent of your damages, the coverage provided under your insurance policy can make up the difference.

The standard liability insurance carried by most drivers will often fall far short of the actual costs you may face as an accident victim. A single hospital stay can easily exceed the limits of an insurance policy, and ongoing treatment, lost wages, and other damages can lead to additional costs. When the at-fault driver's insurance reaches its policy limits, but your damages exceed that amount, underinsured motorist coverage can fill the gap.

For example, suppose you suffer $75,000 in damages, but the at-fault driver has only $25,000 in liability coverage. You would first collect the full $25,000 from their insurance. Then, you would file an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company for the remaining $50,000. Your underinsured motorist coverage would pay this amount, up to your policy limits.

How Our Team Advocates for Accident Victims

Dealing with your own insurance company after an uninsured or underinsured motorist accident requires skill and persistence. Insurance adjusters may seem friendly and helpful at first, but they work for a company whose goal is to pay as little as possible on claims.

Our legal team can review your insurance policy carefully to understand exactly what coverage is available and how to maximize your recovery from all available sources. We will thoroughly document your damages by gathering all medical records and bills, obtaining statements from your doctors about your injuries and prognosis, collecting proof of lost wages from your employer, and documenting how your injuries have affected your daily life. This comprehensive evidence will demonstrate the full value of your claim and make it difficult for the insurance company to dispute your losses.

We will handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf. This will prevent you from making statements that could be taken out of context or used against you. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize claims, and having legal representation will help ensure that you do not inadvertently harm your case.

Our lawyers can negotiate aggressively to secure the full compensation you deserve. We will present evidence clearly, cite relevant policy provisions and Connecticut law, and push back firmly when an insurance company makes unreasonable offers or denials. Many uninsured and underinsured motorist claims can be settled through negotiation, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This preparation demonstrates to the insurance company that we are serious about getting you fair compensation.

Throughout the process, our attorneys will provide compassionate representation focused on achieving results for you. We understand the stress and uncertainty you are experiencing, and we will keep you informed about your case and your legal options. You can focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities of recovering compensation.

Contact Our Bridgeport, CT Uninsured Motorist Car Accident Lawyers

The insurance coverage you have been paying for exists to protect you in a situation where you may be injured by an uninsured driver. However, obtaining fair compensation from your own insurance company will often require legal advocacy and persistence. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our lawyers are here to help you navigate uninsured and underinsured motorist claims successfully. You should not have to settle for less than you need and deserve because someone else failed to maintain proper insurance. Contact our Bridgeport uninsured/underinsured motorist accident attorneys at 203-335-5145 to arrange a free consultation.