Recovering Damages Exceeding The Other Motorist's Auto Insurance Limit

If you are involved in an accident where another driver is at fault, the defendant's insurance coverage should compensate your damages. However, the defendant's insurance company can only compensate you up to their client's insurance limit. You must consider other avenues if you wish to recover more than the defendant's insurance limit.

Below are examples of these additional avenues.

The Defendant's Umbrella Policy

Many people carry multiple lines of insurance. Check if the defendant has another insurance that can cover your damages in addition to their car insurance. For example, some people buy umbrella policies for protection against liability claims. An umbrella policy covers liability claims that exceed other insurance limits.

Say your auto accident damages total $500,000, but the defendant's auto insurance limit is only $250,000. You can recover the rest of the $250,000 from the defendant's umbrella policy. Note that corporates are more likely to have umbrella policies than individuals, but it doesn't hurt to check.

Other Defendants

Check if more than one person is liable for your damages. Just because a driver hits your car, it doesn't mean that they are the only one who should compensate you. For example, you may be eligible for compensation from:

  • An alcohol server who provided the defendant with alcohol when the defendant was already intoxicated
  • The defendant's employer who hired the defendant despite their history of recklessness on the road
  • The car owner who lent their vehicle to the defendant despite knowing that the defendant doesn't have a driving license

Investigate the defendant and the circumstances of the accident to help you identify such additional defendants. An auto accident attorney can help you with the investigations.

Your Insurance Coverage

You may collect additional damages from your own insurance company if you have underinsured motorist coverage. Auto insurance companies sell the coverage to motorists who would like to protect themselves if they are involved in accidents with motorists with low insurance limits.

The Defendant's Personal Effects

Lastly, you may also use the defendant's personal effects for additional compensation. This option is possible if the defendant has a significant wage, cash, or valuable personal effects. You cannot use the belongings that the defendant needs to survive, such as their house or personal car.

Clearly, you shouldn't automatically settle for less auto accident damages than you deserve. Evaluate all the possible sources of compensation before making a decision. An auto accident lawyer can help you with the evaluation and pursuit of damages.



Tags:
409 Words

About Me

Injured? The Law Is on Your Side Someone else does something silly. You get hurt and incur thousands of dollars' worth of medical bills, and you're also forced to take a month off from work. It doesn't really sound fair, does it? It's not. But luckily, there is a way you can ensure the responsible party ends up paying for your expenses, and that's by hiring a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can file a civil suit against the person who caused your injuries, so you can get paid what you deserve. Learn more about personal injury attorneys and the work they do right here. When you're injured due to someone else's actions, this information will come in really handy.

Search

Categories

Latest Posts

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Drunk Driving Accident
31 January 2024
Drunk driving accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and devastating property damage. These accidents are entirely preventable, yet they still occu

The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
8 December 2023
Car accidents can be overwhelming, especially if you're dealing with injuries, vehicle damages, and insurance claims simultaneously. In such cases, se

What To Do When You Find Yourself in a Rideshare Accident
10 November 2023
Ridesharing has become an increasingly popular mode of transportation in recent years. With the convenience of being able to simply tap a button on yo