Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claims

The knowledgeable Brockton uninsured motorist claims attorneys of Sousa & Sousa are committed to helping victims hurt in accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. We have extensive experience recovering compensation for motorists injured by the negligence of others. Our firm provides dedicated and zealous legal representation to drivers in Easton, Brockton, and surrounding towns in Massachusetts.

Car accidents happen every day in Brockton and other areas of the state. In fact, auto accidents are the leading cause of injury and death in the United States. Because of their frequency, Massachusetts law requires drivers to carry insurance. This protects against liability for property damage or bodily injury in the event of a crash. Unfortunately, many people still drive without insurance or with the bare minimum required under state law. This is especially common during tough economic times, when people can no longer pay their premiums. While these drivers allow their insurance to lapse, they still need their cars to get to work. As a result, your chances of being involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist are higher than you think.

Any accident, however small, is a traumatic experience for both drivers. Many drivers pay for costs associated with an accident out of their own pocket because they are so afraid that insurance companies will raise their premiums. For minor accidents, this is acceptable. But in major collisions involving extensive damage and injury, the statutory minimum coverage is seldom enough. This means the injured party will not receive full compensation for property damage and injury without bringing a legal claim against the driver. However, being hit by an unknown, underinsured, or uninsured driver is worse. In these cases, it is next to impossible to recover any compensation for expensive repairs and hospital bills. This is where uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage comes in handy.

Uninsured motorist insurance allows victims to recover compensation under their own insurance policy where the negligent party cannot pay. It also covers hit-and-run accidents where it is impossible to identify the offending driver. Even when the negligent party is insured, Massachusetts insurance policies only provide minimums of $20,000 per person or $40,000 per accident. Insurance companies will only pay up to the policy limit. If you are seriously injured, this may not be enough to compensate you for your injuries. For this reason, state law requires insurers to offer additional limits of uninsured motorist coverage. This allows injured victims to make claims against their own policy. Your insurance company is then required to pay for your medical bills and other damages, up to a higher policy limit. Filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim does not affect your premiums.

If you were hit by a negligent driver who is unknown, uninsured, or underinsured, the experienced Brockton underinsured motorist claims lawyers at Sousa & Sousa can help. Remember that even when filing a claim under your own policy, your insurance company may try to diminish their liability for your injury. Insurers are often looking out for their bottom line. This means their payout may not fully cover your bills. Rather than worrying about what to say to agents and how to handle their questions, consult an experienced attorney who can handle these interactions on your behalf. At Sousa & Sousa, we have over 37 years of experience recovering compensation for drivers through uninsured motorist claims. We know how to negotiate with insurance adjusters and negligent parties to get the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation call our Brockton/Easton office at 508-230-5300 contact us online.