In Arizona, the laws related to driving on public roads are clear: all motorists must carry automobile insurance that meets minimum standards. There are no exceptions for drivers who do not drive very far or very often. There are no exceptions for motorists who are “extra careful” behind the wheel. Everyone is legally required to have automobile insurance.
But despite these requirements, officials estimate that 12 percent of all drivers on Arizona roads are operating illegally because they have no insurance. They are not protected in the event they are involved in a collision nor are those in other vehicles who may be in the same crash. This means that if you are involved in a car accident, there is approximately a one-out-of-eight chance that the other driver is uninsured.
Fortunately for those in Phoenix, their rights do not disappear simply because another driver acted in an irresponsible and illegal manner. Instead, those who are hurt may still be able to make a recovery for their damages through the use of an uninsured motorist claim, a type of action brought against one’s own automobile insurance company in the unfortunate event that they are injured by an uninsured driver.
Uninsured motorist claims are provided for by state law and are written into most driver’s insurance policies as an extra layer of protection in the event of a collision. In these scenarios, your own insurance company will step into the shoes of an at-fault, uninsured driver which will allow you to recover monetary compensation for things like medical bills, surgical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
And like a claim against an at-fault driver, it is the right of the injured victim to select and retain a personal injury lawyer of her choosing to help bring the claim against the insurance company. This way, a victim can rest assured that his interests will be represented by an advocate on his side, fighting for his rights and making sure that he will get the relief that he deserves.
If you were involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver and you were injured, call the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us provide you with a free, no-obligation case consultation regarding your options and your legal rights. We have an attorney standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and everything discussed during the consultation will be kept confidential.
Further, if we represent you, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf and we will advance all case-related expenses. If you have questions or if you need representation, call Abels & Annes, P.C. now and let us get to work for you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Your Rights When a Mechanical Failure is to Blame for a Collision, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 8, 2015.