Slidell Underinsured Motorist Attorney
There are many irresponsible people on the road who do not carry the necessary insurance to pay for your medical bills, lost wages and other damages if they should injure you in an accident. In cases like these, your only source of recovery may be your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
At The Law Offices of David Adrian Oriol, LLC in Madisonville, Louisiana, we help our clients in St. Tammany Parish and surrounding areas on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain obtain the compensation they deserve from all possible sources of insurance, including UM/UIM coverage. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
What Is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Coverage?
UM/UIM coverage is insurance you buy to protect you from motorists who are uninsured or underinsured. In Louisiana, you have this coverage unless you declined coverage. You can and should purchase UM/UIM coverage equal to the amount of liability coverage that you carry.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you from drivers who have no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage protects you from drivers who have liability insurance but don't have enough to pay for your damages. In Louisiana, drivers are only required to carry $15,000 in liability insurance, and even minor injuries can exceed minimum liability coverage.
Do I Need an Attorney to Handle an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claim?
Even though you will be dealing with your own insurance company, a lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Once you file a UM/UIM claim, your insurance company is probably not going to treat you like someone who had been paying premiums for many years. More likely, they will treat you like someone who is trying to take money out of their pocket and will offer you as little money as possible.
Your insurance company is entitled to an offset for the amount covered by the liability insurance of the other party up to the coverage limit, even if you settle your claim for less than the coverage limit. For example, if you settle your claim for $50,000 and the liability limit was $100,000, you would only be able to file a claim for damages in excess of $100,000. To protect your rights to compensation, you should never settle your claim without talking to an experienced attorney.
No fees unless we win your case. We represent accident victims on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not owe any legal fees unless you obtain compensation.
Free UM/UIM Consultation
Have you been injured by in a motor vehicle accident? Don't settle with an insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. To schedule a free initial consultation with a St. Tammany Parish uninsured motorist lawyer, call us at 985-792-2069 or contact us online.
