People hurt in car accidents may still have legal recourse even if the at-fault driver lacks auto liability insurance. An uninsured motorist claim may provide a path to pursue compensation for your medical bills after a car crash caused by a driver without insurance.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by an uninsured driver in Green Bay, contact Schwaba Law Firm to discuss your legal options with an experienced Wisconsin uninsured car accident lawyer. Take advantage of a free case evaluation.
Why Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Matters
Wisconsin law requires all drivers to have auto liability coverage to cover bodily injuries. Even so, more than one in every seven Wisconsin drivers is uninsured, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates. Many more drivers have only the bare minimum insurance coverage required by law. That minimum bodily injury protection may be insufficient to fully cover severe injuries, extensive medical treatment, lost income, and long-term rehabilitation. You may need to file an underinsured motorist claim to seek additional compensation.
In a city such as Green Bay, with its combination of heavy traffic and inclement seasonal weather, drivers are more likely to encounter uninsured and underinsured drivers. Without uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you could be left paying for expenses caused by someone else’s carelessness. UM/UIM insurance helps protect you and your family from the financial burden of medical bills and other losses caused by an at-fault driver who failed to have adequate insurance. An uninsured car accident attorney can file a claim on your behalf and negotiate with the insurance company for fair compensation.
What Is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you are injured in a crash caused by a driver who has no auto insurance. If the at-fault driver cannot pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses, you will need to file a UM insurance claim against your own insurance company to cover your medical expenses and related losses, up to the policy limits.
Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to fully cover injury victims’ losses. In that case, your UIM coverage helps bridge the gap. For example, if your serious injuries total $60,000 and the other driver only has $25,000 in bodily injury insurance coverage, your UIM policy may cover the remaining amount, depending on your UIM policy limits.
Wisconsin requires all vehicle owners to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 for two or more people in bodily injury coverage for collisions involving uninsured motorists.
How UM/UIM Claims Work with Your Insurance Policy
All car insurance policies, including UM/UIM policies, come with limits, which specify the maximum amount your insurer will pay for a covered claim. You will typically find the policy limits listed in your policy declarations page. They may be expressed as per-person and per-accident amounts. If your losses exceed the at-fault driver’s liability limits in a UIM claim, you would file a claim with your UIM policy for coverage.
You file UM/UIM claims against your own policy. But do not expect automatic approval. Your insurer may still question your claim. Insurers make money by paying as little as possible to settle claims. In many cases, insurers will closely scrutinize UM/UIM claims and negotiate aggressively to minimize payouts to protect their profit margins.
Some of the challenges you may encounter after submitting a UM/UIM claim include:
- Disputes over who was at fault
- Arguments that your injuries are not severe
- Claims that a pre-existing condition caused your symptoms
- Delays in investigating or processing the claim
- Low settlement offers that fail to reflect long-term harm
Having an uninsured driver accident lawyer handle your claim signals to the insurance company that you are serious about receiving fair compensation for your losses.
What to Do After an Accident with an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver
It’s important to take immediate steps to protect your health and your rights after a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Seek medical attention right away and follow your doctor’s recommendations. Report the accident to law enforcement and notify your insurance company promptly, as most policies require timely notice. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you should reach out to an uninsured motorist accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights to seek compensation.
Preserve as much evidence as possible, including photos of the accident scene, contact information for any witnesses, and copies of medical records and bills. Keep track of missed work and other losses.
How a Green Bay Uninsured/Underinsured Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Your choice of a Wisconsin uninsured motorist accident lawyer is one of the most important decisions you face after an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. You need an attorney with experience handling similar claims and a track record of success in complex injury cases.
Schwaba Law Firm was founded in 2010 with an exclusive focus on serving Wisconsin residents who have been victims of negligence. We understand that you are going through a difficult time after a serious car accident. Our legal team is ready to work alongside you to hold the at-fault driver accountable and pursue the full and fair compensation you need to move forward. Our legal team has recovered millions for our clients, including a recent $1.1 million verdict in favor of a car accident victim. As one satisfied client wrote about their experience working with us:
“I cannot say enough good about this law firm. Andy made us feel like family. He was there at our side every moment. Never did we feel like a client. He fought for us as if we were his own family. I don’t know what I would have done without him. He is not just a great lawyer. He is a good man. I would definitely go to him again.” – Love L.
Insurance companies can be aggressive in protecting their financial interests. Let Schwaba Law Firm fight back on your behalf in pursuit of a favorable outcome that enables you to move forward with financial security.
Injured by an Uninsured Driver in Green Bay? Get Legal Help Now
The period after a car accident can be stressful and overwhelming. A car accident lawyer for an uninsured driver accident can provide helpful guidance and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. Wisconsin law has a three-year deadline for filing most car accident claims involving personal injury. The sooner an experienced lawyer starts investigating the collision and gathering evidence, the stronger your claim is likely to be.
If an uninsured or underinsured motorist injured you in Green Bay, turn to Schwaba Law Firm for the legal representation you need to protect your rights and pursue the full compensation available. Contact us 24/7 to arrange a free consultation. You will not owe any legal fees unless we win your case.
