Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Massachusetts

Attorney Serving Victims of Boston Car Accidents

There are many questions that likely come to mind when you are involved in a motor vehicle crash. One of these usually includes whether the at-fault driver has an insurance policy and whether it will be enough to cover your property damages and personal injury related expenses. At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C., we have assisted Massachusetts residents with a wide variety of insurance-related matters following a devastating and unnecessary car accident. Insurance companies can be very difficult to work with, and knowing the extent of a policy and how it may apply to your situation can cause serious headaches. This is particularly true with uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in Massachusetts. Insurance companies often try to avoid paying rightful claims in order to save money, but having a skilled Boston car accident lawyer on your side can help you negotiate for the compensation you may be owed. We will strive to ensure that you understand the full extent of your rights and that you are treated fairly throughout the legal process.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage provides you with coverage in the event that an at-fault driver who causes an accident resulting in property damage or injuries does not have enough insurance or any insurance. Although Massachusetts requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance, many drivers choose to violate this law or fail to pay their premiums on a timely basis. If you are involved in a crash and the other driver does not have any auto insurance, you may seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages through your uninsured motorist policy provisions.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage

According to Massachusetts law, you are not required to have underinsured motorist coverage. You would have to ask your insurer about the availability of this policy provision when taking out an insurance policy or reviewing your existing insurance policy if you are interested in this sort of coverage. If you do have underinsured motorist coverage and the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance coverage to compensate you for all your injuries and expenses, you can seek compensation through your policy. You would first be required to make a claim on the at-fault driver’s policy to obtain the maximum coverage available. At a minimum, Massachusetts drivers must carry a policy that provides $20,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $40,000 per accident. They must also carry an $8,000 policy for personal injury protection that covers expenses related to lost wages and medical bills.

After seeking benefits from the at-fault driver’s insurer, your insurer would provide you with the designated amount of coverage in your underinsured motorist policy minus the amount of coverage that you received from the at-fault driver’s insurer. Car accidents can cause serious damages and injuries, so it is not unusual for injury victims to seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s policy and their own underinsured motorist insurance provision.

Assert Your Legal Rights Following a Car Crash

There are several reasons to consult an experienced auto accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. When dealing with insurance companies following the accident, many individuals wrongfully presume that the insurer will treat them fairly and respond promptly to requests for payments and policy limit demands. This is not always the case, and a seasoned accident attorney can help you negotiate with insurance carriers and protect your rights, especially when uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in Massachusetts is an issue in your case.

In addition to seeking insurance benefits, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible driver. In this lawsuit, you will need to prove that the other driver failed to use ordinary care and skill at the time of the crash and that this failure was the direct and foreseeable cause of your injuries. Although this sounds simple, accidents often happen suddenly and it can be difficult to explain how the accident occurred and why the defendant is to blame.

Meet With a Boston Lawyer After Your Car Accident

At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C., we will work tirelessly on your behalf to pursue all avenues of recourse, and seek the maximum amount of compensation that you and your family deserve during this devastating time. Our team is well-versed in the nuances of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in Massachusetts, and we can serve clients and their families in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Newton, Lowell, Quincy, Somerville, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, and Peabody. To set up your free consultation, call us now at  (800) 262-9200 or contact us online.