Were you recently injured in a serious car accident? Did the driver that hit you lack sufficient auto insurance coverage? If so, you may be feeling discouraged thinking about having to cover the costs on your own.
Fortunately, you may not have to. With help from an experienced Grand Rapids uninsured motorist accident attorney at White Law PLLC, you can hold the at-fault party accountable. While you may not be able to file a claim against their insurance policy, that does not mean you do not have an opportunity to make them pay.
Your top-rated Grand Rapids car accident lawyer is here to help you navigate the often complex claims process. Contact our office to request a free consultation today. When you do, you can learn more about which legal options are most suitable, how we expect to recover your damages in full, and what your lawsuit and insurance claims could be worth.
You Are Not without Legal Options After an Uninsured Driver Accident in Grand Rapids
You may be worried that you will not have an opportunity to recover compensation for your damages after being involved in a collision with an uninsured driver. However, this is not the case. Michigan law makes it possible for injury victims to hold liable parties accountable even if they do not have auto insurance coverage. Your uninsured motorist accident lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI, will review the details of your case to determine which options are most likely to result in a favorable outcome.
File a Claim Against Your Personal No-Fault Policy
All motorists are to carry no-fault insurance protection coverage. This means after an accident, you will file a claim against your personal auto insurance policy. Generally, when your insurance company issues a settlement, they will then file a subrogation claim against the liable party to recoup the money they paid you. However, if the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance coverage, the insurance company may take additional legal action.
Although you have the option of filing a claim against your personal auto insurance policy, this may not always be in your best interests. The fact of the matter is that no-fault insurance coverage is designed to compensate you without regard to liability for the accident.
Still, insurance companies are profit-hungry and will do everything in their power to reduce their financial obligations. After issuing a settlement, they will likely increase your auto insurance premiums, thereby recouping what they paid out in your claim.
Bring a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against the Uninsured Driver
Your next option is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the uninsured driver. When you pursue a civil claim, you have the right to recoup your damages in full. This gives you the best opportunity to maximize your compensation and avoid being stuck covering any of the costs associated with your injuries.
When you file a personal injury lawsuit, you do not have to deal with the same types of limitations as you do when you file a claim with the insurance company. Your settlement with the insurance company will be based on how much no-fault insurance protection coverage you have.
In some cases, this may not be enough to fully cover your losses. However, when you go to trial, you can receive compensation for every single way your life has been affected by your injuries and the collision itself.
The Uninsured Driver May Not Be Liable
It may surprise you to learn that the uninsured driver is not necessarily responsible for causing the accident. However, it is important to note that not carrying auto insurance coverage does not always mean the driver is responsible for the collision. Motor vehicle defects, dangerous road conditions, inclement weather, and other motorists on the roadways could also share the blame.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Calculating Your Claim’s Value
Before your car accident claim goes to trial, your Grand Rapids uninsured motorist accident lawyer will need to calculate the value of your damages carefully. The losses you are entitled to are known as compensatory damages. However, they will need to be further categorized to ensure we are accounting for every single way your life has been and may continue to be impacted by the crash.
General Damages
General damages are also commonly known as non-economic damages. They do not have a monetary value, which makes them more difficult to quantify. Some examples of general damages uninsured motorist accident victims can recoup include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Inconvenience
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
- Mental anguish
- Reputational damage
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Embarrassment, shame, and indignity
- Fear, shock, apprehension, and anticipation
Special Damages
Special damages are also commonly referred to as economic damages. They have fixed financial values, which make them easier to calculate than general damages. Some examples of special damages you could be entitled to include:
- Rental car expenses
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Auto repair costs
- Loss of employee benefits
- Loss of future potential earnings
- The diminished value of your vehicle
- Credit score damage
- Auto insurance premium increases
- Ongoing and prospective healthcare costs
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded in every motor vehicle accident or personal injury claim. They are typically only granted in instances where defendants act in gross negligence or with intentional malice. However, if punitive damages are possible in your case, your uninsured motorist accident lawyer will notify you.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Connect with an Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney in Grand Rapids, MI, Today
Collisions with uninsured motorists can be far more complex than run-of-the-mill car crashes. However, with help from a respected Grand Rapids uninsured motorist accident lawyer at White Law PLLC, you can demand justice and the compensation you deserve. Do not wait.
You have a limited amount of time to file your claim. Your attorney needs as much time as possible to build a powerful case against the at-fault party. You can get started on your claim as soon as today.
Fill out our convenient contact form. Or, call our office when you are ready to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. When your family can finally rest easier knowing an insurance settlement or trial verdict comes down in your favor, you will be proud that you took back control of your life.
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