Although auto insurance is required by law for all Wisconsin drivers, many people throughout the state still drive without it. In fact, recent statistics from the Insurance Research Council suggest that over 14 percent of Wisconsin drivers lack the legally required insurance, and this can present a serious issue when those drivers are responsible for an accident with someone else. In most cases, a driver’s liability insurance is a crucial source of compensation for those who are injured due to the driver’s negligence. When this coverage is unavailable or insufficient, the next best option for compensation is usually uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is one of several states in which uninsured motorist coverage is a legally required component of all car insurance policies. This means that if you or a family member are injured by an uninsured driver, in a hit-and-run accident in which the at-fault driver cannot be identified, or in a collision involving a “phantom motor vehicle,” you can file a claim for compensation with your own car insurance provider. The available compensation under the minimum required coverage applies only to bodily injury up to $25,000 per person and $50,000 total per accident.
However, some accidents result in damages beyond the scope of the required uninsured motorist coverage, and your ability to obtain additional compensation may depend on optional policies that you have purchased. For example, you may opt for a higher policy limit to protect yourself in the event of serious injuries with damages totaling more than $25,000. You may also choose to purchase an additional policy that covers property damage caused by an uninsured motorist. Another option is underinsured motorist coverage, which makes it possible to receive additional compensation from your own insurance provider if the negligent driver’s liability insurance does not cover the full amount of your damages.
Working With an Attorney After a Crash With an Uninsured Driver
If you are injured in an accident, it is a good idea to try to collect insurance information from the other driver whenever possible. If the driver has coverage, this can help you start the process of filing a personal injury claim, and if not, it allows you to plan to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance provider. You should also contact an attorney as soon as possible. In addition to helping you collect evidence of the other driver’s negligence, we can also advise you through the process of filing a claim for the most possible compensation, whether that comes from the other driver’s insurance or your own. If necessary, we can help you meet the requirements for filing a claim involving a phantom motor vehicle, including reporting the accident to police within 72 hours and obtaining witness testimony to verify that a phantom motor vehicle caused the accident.
Contact an Appleton, WI Uninsured Motorist Crash Lawyer
Accidents with uninsured or underinsured motorists can be complicated, but at Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd., we have the experience to help you handle them such that you have the best chance of a favorable outcome. Contact a Green Bay car accident attorney today at 920-739-7366 to request a free consultation.
Sources:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/632/iv/32
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motoristshttps://oci.wi.gov/Documents/Consumers/PI-233.pdf