In Maryland, drivers with automobiles must purchase insurance to provide coverage in the event of an accident. As part of that insurance, each driver must also buy uninsured/underinsured coverage. This is often confusing. In this article, the experienced and courtroom-proven car accident lawyers here at the Law Office of Robert Castro answer some Frequently Asked Questions about Maryland uninsured and underinsured insurance coverage. If you have been a victim of an accident here in Waldorf, MD., call us at (301) 870-1200 or use our contact page. We can answer your questions and evaluate your ability to recover money damages. Our motto: “relentless advocacy, maximum compensation.” No fee unless we win. Our offices are in Waldorf, Maryland.

Why do I have to buy Maryland uninsured/underinsured coverage?

There are several reasons, the first among which is that Maryland law requires it. In Maryland, uninsured/underinsured coverage is just part of your auto insurance, and you cannot even buy auto insurance without it. In addition, you protect yourself by having uninsured/underinsured coverage.

What is uninsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured coverage is for situations where you are in an accident, and the other driver — the at-fault party — has NO insurance coverage. That person is UNINSURED.

What is underinsured motorist coverage?

Underinsured coverage is for situations where the other driver — the at-fault party — has SOME insurance but not ENOUGH coverage to provide FULL compensation for your injuries. The insurance company will only pay up to the amount of coverage purchased regardless of whether that amount is enough to compensate for the injuries/damages. In that type of case, YOUR underinsured insurance coverage is triggered so that you obtain FULL coverage for your injuries.

How does this protect me?

Most Maryland car accident claims are settled via insurance. But, it is NOT rare that an at-fault party has less insurance than is needed. For example, assume the accident was severe, and your medical bills exceed $100,000. However, the at-fault party only has $75,000 worth of medical coverage. In this hypothetical, the other driver is UNDERINSURED. As noted above, your underinsured coverage would provide the extra insurance to provide FULL coverage of your medical bills.

If you did not have underinsured coverage, you would have no choice but to sue the driver of the other car and seek full compensation from the personal assets of the driver. Those assets might include money from a bank account, garnishment of their wages, or the seizure of their house or other assets, etc. As one might imagine, that is a difficult and time-consuming process. It is a great protection for you to have insurance coverage where a settlement can be paid quickly and cleanly.

How does the process work?

After an accident, one thing you must do is notify your OWN insurance company even though the accident was not your fault. This is precisely because the case might be one where the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured. If that happens, then YOUR insurance company takes over the investigation and settlement of the claim.

Contact Waldorf, MD Personal Injury Attorney Robert Castro Today

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD, Personal Injury lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD 20601.