Charlotte Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers
Legal help when you are injured in a hit-and-run in North Carolina
If you were involved in a car accident where the other driver did not have auto liability insurance, the party responsible for covering damages becomes your own insurance company. Uninsured motorist coverage is a standard feature in every North Carolina automobile insurance policy, and it provides coverage for personal injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
Price, Petho & Associates has been helping victims of uninsured motor vehicle accidents for decades and has the experience to help you obtain compensation for damages after a collision that wasn’t your fault. We understand the frustration of not only sustaining injury in an accident caused by a negligent driver, but also having to navigate the complex and difficult insurance process. Our Charlotte attorneys are here to make everything easier. We do not collect a fee unless we help you reach a settlement.
What would you like to know?
- What is uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance?
- What are common Charlotte car accident injuries?
- Is uninsured motorist insurance required in North Carolina?
- Can I file a claim against the uninsured motorist who hit me?
- How do I prove my Charlotte uninsured motorist accident case?
- Is there an uninsured/underinsured accident attorney near me?
What is uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance?
Per the North Carolina Department of Insurance:
Uninsured Motorists (UM) Coverage will provide protection when an uninsured driver, who is at-fault, injures you or another covered individual. It also provides property damage coverage. Underinsured Motorists (UIM) Coverage will provide protection when an underinsured driver, who is at fault, causes injury to a covered individual.
An underinsured driver is one whose limits of liability are less than your UIM limits, and not enough to cover the losses of the people the underinsured driver injures in an at-fault accident. UIM coverage does not provide protection against property damage. The UIM coverage will pay a maximum of the difference between the other driver’s Liability limits and your UIM limits.
If you are involved in an accident with a Charlotte uninsured driver, you may run into a variety of difficulties attempting to get your claim resolved.
What are common Charlotte car accident injuries?
According to data available from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), there were more than 247,000 total car accidents in 2020 across the state. Out of these incidents, 1,658 people lost their lives, and there were more than 105,000 injuries.
Accidents with Charlotte uninsured motorists often result in severe injuries for victims. Chances are the at-fault driver had his or her insurance revoked for previous accidents or could not afford premiums due to risky driving habits. Injuries caused by uninsured motorists can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Other severe neck or back trauma
- Whiplash injuries
- Burn injuries
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Lacerations or puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Wrongful death
These types of injuries often result in victims incurring tremendous medical bills. If victims cannot work while they recover, their financial difficulties will be compounded by a loss of income.
Is uninsured motorist insurance required in North Carolina?
The state of North Carolina requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. This is significant because many states do not require this insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage is incredibly beneficial for those who are struck by an uninsured driver and helps cover medical costs and property damage.
In order to operate legally on the roadways in North Carolina, drivers must have the following types of insurance (with corresponding minimum requirements):
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage: $25,000
Can I file a claim against the uninsured motorist who hit me?
If you or somebody you care about has an accident with an uninsured motorist, you typically turn to your uninsured motorist coverage to handle the expenses related to the incident. However, if your medical costs and property damages rise above the limits of your insurance policy, which they typically do in cases of severe injury, you may need to find other ways to cover your costs.
In cases like these, you may file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver who caused your accident. However, it is important to understand that if a driver could not afford to have insurance on his or her vehicle, it is likely that he or she will not be able to pay for any damages that may ultimately be awarded in a successful claim. Our Charlotte attorneys invite you to schedule a consultation to go over the specific details of your case, as all accidents are unique.
How do I prove my Charlotte uninsured motorist accident case?
In general, most car accidents are resolved through settlements between both drivers’ insurance carriers. However, if one of the parties involved in an accident does not have insurance, this can significantly complicate the matter. As far as uninsured car crashes are concerned, the Insurance Information Institute (III) shows that North Carolina actually has one of the lowest percentages of uninsured drivers in the country.
The III states 7.4 percent of all drivers in our state are uninsured. While this does seem like a relatively low number, let us put this in another perspective – out of every 100 drivers on the roads in North Carolina, more than seven of them do not have insurance.
In order to establish an uninsured motorist claim, our attorneys work to prove two important points:
- The uninsured driver was at fault in causing the accident, usually proven with a letter from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles identifying the last known insurance company for the driver and the vehicle.
- The at-fault driver was uninsured at the time of the accident, demonstrated with a letter from the last known insurance company, indicating that the vehicle was not insured at the time of the accident.
Many people believe that by appealing to their own insurance company, they will be treated fairly. Unfortunately for accident and injury victims, this is not always the case. In our experience, insurance companies go to great lengths to avoid paying a settlement. This is why it is so important to have a skilled and experienced attorney on your side.
Google Reviews
I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.
- C.P.
BEST ATTORNEYS
Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.
- Y. M.
Is there an uninsured/underinsured accident attorney near me?
Price, Petho & Associates is located at 1420 Elizabeth Ave in Charlotte, NC. We also maintain offices in Rockingham and Rutherfordton for your convenience. If you are unable to come to us, we can make arrangements to visit you at home or in the hospital.
A successful track record dealing with Charlotte insurance companies
Even though you will be dealing with your own insurance company, never assume your claims will be paid without a fight. Insurance companies have a fiduciary duty to their insured and must deal with them in good faith, and failing to fulfill this obligation can expose them to liability in excess of their coverage limits. Talk to the car accident attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates today if you or a loved one were injured in a collision with an uninsured motorist. Call 704-327-6301 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Charlotte, Rockingham, Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
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Google Reviews
I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.
- C.P.
BEST ATTORNEYS
Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.
- Y. M.