What Happens If an Uninsured Driver Injures Me in Illinois?

 Posted on September 16, 2024 in Car Accidents

Car accidents happen in Chicago and throughout Illinois every day and many of these crashes cause injuries. Illinois laws require drivers to maintain auto insurance policies to cover bodily injury and property damage for accidents they cause. Unfortunately, not everyone complies.

If an underinsured or uninsured motorist causes a collision that injures you, can you get a settlement? How do these claims work? A skilled lawyer from Kadzai Law Group, LLC can help you deal with the complications involved in uninsured motorist claims and help you collect the compensation you deserve.

What Are the Illinois Auto Insurance Requirements?

To operate a motor vehicle in Illinois, drivers are required by law to have at least minimum auto insurance liability coverage:

• $25,000 per person bodily injury or death liability
• $50,000 per accident bodily injury or death liability
• $20,000 per accident property damage liability

In addition, you must have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. If you do not opt for collision coverage, you may purchase at least $15,000 of optional uninsured motorist property damage insurance. Your uninsured motorist coverages should pay your eligible damages up to your policy limits if an uninsured motorist injures you.

What Was Your Role in the Accident?

Motor vehicle accidents can produce various injuries, such as broken bones, internal organ damage, seatbelt and airbag injuries, bruising, whiplash, and spinal cord damage. Several scenarios may qualify you to file a UM/UIM claim:

• You are an injured passenger in a vehicle where the driver does not have insurance.
• A driver injures you or your passengers without insurance or whose policy limits do not cover all of your eligible damages.
• You or your passengers are injured in a hit-and-run collision, and the at-fault driver is not found.

Choosing limits that are high enough for your own UM/UIM policy is important. If you purchase only the minimum allowable coverage, your accident-related expenses and other losses may exceed your policy limits. Many injured accident victims receive damages for losses like:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of the enjoyment of life

The amount of your eligible damages depends on case-specific factors. When you choose Kadzai Law Group, LLC, we will work diligently to help you secure a satisfactory settlement amount.

Depending on the contributing factors in your crash, you may have other options for obtaining compensation. For example:

• A government agency may share fault if an unrepaired pothole led to your collision.
• If defective brakes caused your accident, the parts manufacturer may be liable.
• Illinois Dram Shop Liability laws may apply, allowing you to hold establishments that sell alcohol to an intoxicated individual accountable if that person causes a crash.
• A pedestrian may have run into traffic, and the driver who hit you may have been trying to avoid colliding with the pedestrian.

Accidents can happen for multiple reasons, and several parties may share the blame. Your attorney from Kadzai Law Group, LLC will investigate your crash, identify the accountable parties, and pursue every potential compensation avenue to ensure you receive the highest possible amount.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Knowledgeable Hyde Park, IL Car Accident Lawyers

If an uninsured motorist injures you, you should not have to pay for his lack of responsibility. At Kadzai Law Group, LLC, we will protect your best interests and help you hold all at-fault parties accountable. Call us today at 312-229-0050 to speak with our skilled Chicago, IL personal injury attorneys.