Mississippi has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. That means there’s a real chance that if you’re hit by a negligent driver on a Jackson road, they don’t have insurance — or don’t have enough to cover your injuries and losses.
That’s a hard thing to hear when you’re the one who got hurt through no fault of your own. But it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is there to protect you. In Mississippi, insurance policies are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If you have this coverage on your own policy, it can step in and compensate you when the at-fault driver has no insurance (uninsured) or when their policy limits aren’t enough to cover your damages (underinsured).
But filing a UM claim isn’t always simple. Even though you’re filing a claim with your own insurance company, that company’s interests are not the same as yours. They still want to minimize their payout. I’ve seen insurance companies dispute liability, argue about the severity of injuries, and use coverage technicalities to deny or reduce valid UM claims. Having an attorney who knows how to handle these claims makes a significant difference.
What about hit-and-run accidents? If you were hit by a driver who fled the scene and was never identified, UM coverage generally applies to hit-and-run accidents as well — as long as the proper steps are taken quickly. Reporting the accident to law enforcement immediately is critical. So is contacting an attorney before you file the claim.
What you may be entitled to recover. Through a UM or UIM claim, you can pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages — just as you would against the at-fault driver directly. The coverage limits on your own policy may affect what you can recover, which is another reason to have an attorney review your policy and options.
You did everything right. You paid for your insurance. You deserve to use it. If an uninsured or underinsured driver hurt you, I’ll make sure your own coverage works for you the way it’s supposed to.
Call Timbs Injury Law at (601) 775-5553 for a free consultation.