Tag: Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Important Terminology In Filing For A Car Accident Claim
On a different post, we’ve mentioned steps you can take in filing for a car accident claim. But in addition to knowing what guidelines to follow during the process, it is vital that you understand legal terms frequently used in claim-filing. From your Kansas City car accident attorney to you, below are terminology you will encounter as you file for, investigate, evaluate, and submit your car accident claim. Car Accident Claim-Filing Terms And Definitions- 1. Burden Of Proof: “Burden of proof” is the term used to describe the actual task and act of proving yourself innocent in an accident claim. And proving damages wrought and injuries incurred which you believe (and calculate) worthy of the value you specify in your claim. You, being the plaintiff (the person who is stepping forward to present the claim) have the burden of proof as you “prove” to the courts or the party of the defendant your right to said claim. 2. Liability: “Liability” refers to one’s “debt” or “responsibility”, in coming up with recompense for the car accident and for causing the car accident in the first place. The party that is liable for the car accident claim is also called the “defendant”, “accused”, “appellant”, and “respondent”. Other categories of crime use the term “suspect” as well. Besides pointing out who the liable persons are in a car accident, this can be established and legally determined through pieces of evidence in the accident scene, police reports and related documentation, vehicular damages, injuries, statements from bystanders and witnesses, traffic violations (via recorded evidence), etc. 3. Claim: A legal claim is a request a person can make for court review, wherein you state evidence-supported reasons at the outset, for why the claim is being presented. Technically speaking, a claim falls outside the bounds of a “legal case”, and will transition into it only if the claim is denied and/or a settlement is not concluded. 4. Settlement: In law, a settlement is a conclusion, the coming-to-terms, or the agreement of litigants regarding the particulars mentioned in your claim. Reaching a settlement means that the defendant is amenable to it and is willing to provide compensation for the car accident, with the exact value specified in the same claim. When a settlement is reached, you will not have to escalate the claim into a court case. Also, reaching a settlement should be the goal of your claim-submission. 5. Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): Some states in the U.S., Missouri included, require that drivers sign up for UIM or an Uninsured Motorist Coverage. A UIM is a kind of insurance that protects drivers in the event that the perpetrator of the accident does not have any insurance coverage. Losses, or portions of it, can be covered by the UIM. The amount in a UIM will depend on your policy’s terms and limits. 6. Actual Cash Value: This is a phrase used to define what the damaged automobile’s market value is. Think of it as what the value or “price” your car would have borne right before the accident took place. Read Also: 5 Things To Do Immediately After You Get Into A Car Accident 7 Ways Truck Accidents Differ from the Regular Car Crashes Car Insurance: What You Need To Know Before Taking The One! Used car: simple steps for buying from a reliable cars dealership
READ MOREDetails
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
You may have wondered what your Uninsured Motorist Coverage actually entailed on your car insurance policy as a Tennessee driver. You may not have known, but insurance companies estimate that almost 15% of drivers are operating without insurance. If you are struck by an uninsured motorist, there is no way for you to recover money for damages, injuries, or pain and suffering that resulted from the accident. Therefore, many insurance companies — and a growing list of states — make Uninsured Motorist Coverage mandatory in their policies. This way, you are protected in the event that you are in an accident with an uninsured driver. What does my Uninsured Motorist Policy Cover? The specifics of your uninsured motorist policy will vary from company to company, but in the most general terms, you and your passengers are covered for bodily injury, property damage, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Additionally, the policy-holder will be covered in the event of a hit-and-run, where it is impossible to determine who the driver was, let alone if they were insured or not. Note that your uninsured motorist policy is not the same as an UNDERINSURED motorist policy, which will cover the difference between your injuries and the maximum of the other person’s policy. Bodily Injury Coverage If you or your passengers suffer personal injuries in an accident with an uninsured motorist, your policy will cover medical bills, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. Without this policy, being struck by an uninsured motorist would shoulder each individual with the burden of a lack of coverage that was out of their control. Bodily and emotional suffering are often hard to quantify in a car accident, and therefore makes a personal injury lawyer indispensable to claim what is rightfully owed. If you or your passengers have suffered bodily or emotional injury as the result of a wreck with an uninsured motorist, it is suggested you consult with a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville, TN. Property Damage Coverage Property damage is easier to quantify than personal injury because it will reflect the values of repairs or replacements. Even though this is the case, there are still many nuances that you must navigate to ensure you get the proper reimbursement for your situation. Consulting with an attorney is the best way to ensure that your situation is fully rectified with your insurance company and that you or your passengers will feel fairly compensated for your accident with an uninsured driver. It was not your fault that the other driver was uninsured, and it should not be your financial burden. Am I required to have Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Tennessee? Yes, you are required to have an uninsured motorist clause on your insurance policy in Tennessee. Hopefully, you will never be required to use this coverage, but in the event that you must, you can rest easy knowing that you are properly covered even though the other driver was fully uninsured. A growing number of states legally require each insured driver to have this additional coverage, and Tennessee is one of these states. Read Also : Along For The Ride: Passenger Rights In-Vehicle Accidents There Is A Pothole Problem In America – How To Protect Your Car From Damage? Feature image source: theandrewagency.com
READ MOREDetailsPopular
Technologies For Creating A Startup Idea
20 Feb 2023
How to Download Facebook Videos on Android?
07 Feb 2019
7 Rules of Effective Ecommerce Web Design
28 Jan 2021
