A motor vehicle accident can have a devastating impact on you and your family. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our firm to schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Information About Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
After a motor vehicle accident, victims can be at a loss about what to do next. Do you understand the difference between a property damage claim, loss of use claim or a claim for Personal Injury Protection? Most people don't since they have never had to deal with this situation before.
I am Jim Desmond, an attorney who handles only motor vehicle accidents. I enjoy what I do so it is not difficult for me to work hard at it or put enthusiasm toward your case. I am not like some attorneys who will promise you with the world and tell you sorry six months later when they can't deliver. Instead, I ask you simply for the OPPORTUNITY to show you what I can do for you and in turn, I promise you straightforward, solid legal advice.
Some information about motor vehicle accident claims appears below. Your case however, is unique. What are you waiting for? The insurance company has already started their investigation. Isn't it time for us to hit this ball out of the park? I am ready to take the swing so be the coach and make the call. I am waiting to hear from you.
Free Consultation with a Lawyer — Contact Me
For a free consultation, call me at 502-609-7657, toll free at 888-515-4246 or send an e-mail.
From my offices in Louisville, I represent clients in Kentucky and Indiana. If you can't come to my office, I will do my best to come to you.
Thank you for contacting Desmond Law Office. Your message has been sent.
Call us now
or use the form below.
In a accident case, there may be multiple sources of compensation, including health care insurance, PIP coverage and uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage. I always seek to obtain maximum compensation for my client from all possible sources. Whether these other coverages apply can depend upon many different factors. Let's discuss things before you walk away from money you did not know you were entitled to. For example, I had a motorcyclist injured once by an uninsured driver. We were able to get an insurance policy from a scooter to apply which provided him with another $25,000 in uninsured motorist benefits.
Careful case preparation and strong advocacy can shorten the accident claim process. Desmond Law Offices acts quickly and prepares claims thoroughly, so that my clients get compensation on a timely basis. Very simply, you don't want to go months without knowing what is happening on your case and who is working your case. Unfortunately, this happens a lot with many other firms who utilize paralegals. With me, you deal directly with me. If you are not getting the answers you need, I will sit down with and again outline my game plan for your case. At the end of every case, I ask every one of my clients to give my name out to their family and friends if they were happy with my services. Consequently, I know what is at stake and the last thing I am going to do is let you walk away without thoroughly understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
* The Kentucky State Bar requires me to say that COURT COSTS AND CASE EXPENSES WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLIENT.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
When a driver refuses or is unable to carry proper motor vehicle insurance, that driver puts more than just him- or herself at risk. If the driver injures another person, the insurance will be inadequate to cover the damages. Injured parties, however, may be covered by their own insurance policies; uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims in these cases. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it is important to contact an attorney at Desmond Law Offices in Louisville, Kentucky, to create a plan of action.
Uninsured Motorists
Even if your state requires all drivers to carry auto insurance, the driver who injured you or your passenger may not have had insurance. Or you may have been hurt in a hit-and-run accident, making it impossible to identify the driver at all.
This is when uninsured motorist coverage will step in to protect your interests. Many states require auto insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage. If your insurance company offers uninsured motorist coverage, and you chose to include it in your policy, then your insurance company will act as if it were the at-fault driver’s insurance company in compensating you.
When you file an uninsured motorist claim, your insurance company’s interests can be adverse to your interests. Consulting with an attorney before filing a claim is wise.
Underinsured Motorists
When the at-fault driver is underinsured, this means that the driver has purchased an auto insurance policy that does not provide enough coverage for your damages. If you have underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to collect, from your own insurance company, the amount of your damages that exceeds the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.
Collecting Insurance Benefits
To recover benefits under an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, the victim typically will need to show that the other motorist was at fault. The victim will also need to prove that his or her bodily injuries were significant. To collect benefits under an underinsured motorist policy, the victim will need to collect as much as possible from the at-fault driver’s insurance company first.
Stacking Insurance Coverage
In some states and under some insurance policies, an injured party may “stack” various policies to reach a satisfactory level of compensation. By stacking coverage from more than one auto insurance policy — or coverage for more than one car on a single policy — the injured party increases monetary recovery. Stackable coverage is not allowed in every state; in some cases, the insured must choose to have stackable coverage upon purchasing the policy.
Contact an Attorney
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims when they are most vulnerable. Not every policy has such coverage, however, and the victim’s approach to the situation can change the level of compensation he or she receives. Indeed, some rules do not require the victim’s insurance company to pay the victim if the victim settles prematurely with the at-fault motorist’s insurance company. This is why it is so important to work with an experienced attorney from Desmond Law Offices in Louisville, Kentucky.
Copyright ©2009 FindLaw, a Thomson Business
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
