Underinsured & Uninsured Motorist Claims Lawyers in Milwaukee

Both Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) provisions are critical parts of your auto insurance policy that protect you against the risk of out-of-pocket expenses in accidents with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

UM covers you when you are hit by a driver who does not have any car insurance. It covers bodily injuries sustained by you and your passengers. Wisconsin law requires all drivers to carry UM coverage with a minimum limit of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injuries. UIM applies when the other driver’s insurance company coverage is not enough to cover the total cost of the damages they caused. It supplements the difference up to the limit of your UIM policy. Underinsured motorist coverage is optional in Wisconsin, but it is highly recommended that you carry it.

Considering 13.3% of drivers in the state do not have any motor vehicle insurance, your UM/UIM coverage offers financial protection in many situations:

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

• If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by a driver who then flees the scene and cannot be identified (i.e., a hit-and-run accident).
• If you, as a pedestrian or cyclist, are hit by an uninsured driver.
• If a vehicle causes you to crash without making physical contact and cannot be identified.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage

• If the at-fault driver has insurance, but the policy limits are too low to cover all your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• If your injuries and associated costs (like ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation) surpass the insurance limits of the negligent driver.
• If multiple injured parties are making claims against a low-limit policy for the liable underinsured driver,

Why You Should Avoid Direct Negotiations with the Insurance Company for Your UM/UIM Claim

When you have been injured in a car accident, take the following steps:

• Review your auto insurance policy to determine your UM coverage limit and check if you have UIM coverage; if so, confirm the limit for that as well.
• Contact our UM/UIM attorneys in Milwaukee to file a claim with your insurer on your behalf.
• Do not speak to the claims adjuster at your own insurance company or accept a low offer without consulting with us.

Here’s why you should avoid dealing directly with the insurer for your claim:

As soon as you submit the claim, it will be reviewed by a team of adjusters looking for any reasons to reduce the payout. They might do this by questioning the extent of your bodily injury and applying policy terms tactfully in ways that limit their liability. Remember, insurance provider companies operate on a profit-driven business model that aims to collect more in premiums than they pay out in claims. To achieve this, they have established complicated procedures for evaluating claims so they can pay out as little as they can justify based on the policy terms.