Portland Uninsured Driver Accident Lawyer
When you are involved in an accident caused by another driver, you might reasonably expect their insurance policy to cover your damages. After all, Oregon law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of coverage. But as we all know, not everyone obeys the law.
So what happens if you are hit by a car and the driver lacks insurance? Or you are injured in a hit-and-run accident where the driver is never identified? A qualified Portland uninsured driver accident lawyer can advise you of your rights in such cases. If you have your own auto insurance policy, your carrier may in fact be required to pay for your injuries and property damage. Rosenbaum Law Group, PC, can review the facts of your accident and help you seek appropriate compensation.
The Importance of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Oregon
The first thing to note is that just because a negligent driver does not have auto insurance, that does not mean they can escape liability for causing an accident. The accident victims can still file a personal injury lawsuit and seek to collect any judgment against the driver’s personal assets. There may also be other third parties who can be held liable.
But most of the time when you are dealing with an uninsured driver, your best hope for compensation comes for your own auto insurance carrier. Oregon law requires you to purchase a minimum amount of uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage. As of 2023, those minimums are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
So how does this coverage work? Basically, if the negligent driver has no insurance, your UM coverage kicks in. Your insurance company effectively takes the place of the negligent driver and pays any medical bills that you and your passengers sustained in the accident (up to your policy limits). Similarly, if the negligent driver has insurance but it is not enough to cover all of these expenses, the “underinsured” part of your coverage will make up for the difference. In addition to medical expenses, UM/UIM coverage can also cover other accident-related damages such as lost wages if you (or your passenger) misses time from work, any future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, and damages for your pain and suffering.
One thing to note is that the law only requires you have UM/UIM coverage for personal injury. It does not cover any damage to your vehicle or other personal property. You need separate collision coverage to protect you in that area.
Contact Rosenbaum Law Group Today
Even though uninsured/underinsured motorist claims are filed with your own carrier, that does not mean you should always expect you will receive compensation without a fight. In the context of a hit-and-run or uninsured motorist accident, your insurance company is effectively taking on the role of the defendant. This means their interests are adverse to yours.
So if you want someone who is unquestionably on your side, you need to work with a skilled Portland hit by uninsured driver lawyer. Contact Rosenbaum Law, PC, today to schedule a free confidential consultation.
