Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyers in Connecticut

RisCassi & Davis, P.C. Is Here to Help

Many of the motor vehicle cases RisCassi & Davis, P.C. handles, in addition to presenting potentially complicated legal, medical, and factual issues, often present fairly complex issues of insurance coverage. What’s more, insurance companies and their attorneys work hard to limit what they are expected to pay out when an accident occurs.

In some cases, the insurance coverage of a liable (at-fault) driver is inadequate to compensate our clients for the harm caused by the negligent driver, sometimes making it necessary to make a claim against the uninsured and underinsured coverage of our client’s own automobile insurance policy.

Call our Connecticut uninsured motorist accident attorneys at (860) 245-2412 today to schedule your free initial consultation.

What Is Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

All automobile liability insurance policies issued in Connecticut are required to provide various types of coverage, including property damage and personal injury liability coverage, as well as uninsured and underinsured coverage.

This insurance protects insured consumers and all resident family members of the same household against the risk of being injured in a motor vehicle collision with an at-fault driver who either has no insurance coverage or inadequate coverage on his or her motor vehicle.

This insurance can also protect insured consumers from the risk of suffering losses caused by a hit and run driver, a driver who negligently forces them off the road or into another vehicle and leaves the scene of the accident, or from injuries suffered from equipment or cargo ejected from another vehicle.

What Are the Key Differences Between Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are both designed to protect individuals in the event of accidents involving drivers who either have no insurance (uninsured) or insufficient insurance coverage (underinsured). 

Here are the key differences between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage:

Uninsured Motorist Coverage:

• Scenario: Uninsured motorist coverage comes into play when the at-fault driver in an accident does not have auto insurance.
• Coverage: This type of coverage typically helps pay for medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other damages resulting from the accident caused by an uninsured driver.
• Benefits: It provides financial protection for the insured party if they are involved in an accident with a driver who lacks insurance, ensuring that they are not left footing the bill for the damages.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage:

• Scenario: Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver in an accident has insurance but the coverage limit is insufficient to cover all the damages.
• Coverage: This coverage steps in to make up the difference between the at-fault driver's insurance coverage and the actual costs incurred by the insured party.
• Benefits: It helps protect individuals from financial repercussions if they are involved in an accident with a driver whose insurance coverage is inadequate to fully compensate for the damages.

Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance, while underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver's insurance is insufficient to cover all damages. Both types of coverage are crucial for ensuring financial protection in the event of accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. 

What You Can Expect From An Accident With An Uninsured or Underinsured Driver

In accidents like these, we turn to your own insurance policy to determine if there is coverage that can be accessed to provide compensation for your losses.

One of our partners, Michael Jainchill, is a leading legal expert on cases like these and will be part of your legal team. He is also the co-author of Connecticut Law of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage, published by The Atlantic Law Book Company, now in its Fourth Edition. The Connecticut Supreme Court has referred to this book as the leading book in the field of uninsured and underinsured motorist law.

How Uninsured & Underinsured Coverage Works

Uninsured motorist claims may arise out of unusual circumstances. For example, we have successfully pursued claims in situations where a tire and rim, improperly secured in the bed of a pickup truck flew off and hit a car operated by one of our clients causing significant injuries. In another instance, a tire and rim flew off the axle of a tractor-trailer, striking the motor vehicle of one of our clients, again causing serious injuries. In these cases, since the responsible drivers could not be identified, we were able to secure coverage for our clients from their own coverage.

If you are riding a bicycle or motorcycle, or walking across the street and are injured due to the negligence of an uninsured driver, or if you are struck by a vehicle which flees the scene of the accident, we can help you make a claim to your policy’s uninsured motorist protection.

Cases Involving Underinsured Drivers

If you are injured by a driver who has inadequate liability insurance coverage to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and injuries, there may be the potential for an underinsured motorist claim, depending upon the amount or type of coverage you have purchased. Given that there are various types of underinsured motorist coverage, for example, Underinsured Motorist Conversion Coverage, it is often useful to have your insurance coverage documents reviewed by an attorney familiar with this complex area of the law.

Accident cases can be very complex. Protect yourself and your family. Contact our underinsured motorist accident lawyers in Connecticut today to learn more about your options.