- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $15,000 for property damage per accident
Even when carrying the bare minimum insurance, it still may not be enough to fully compensate the victims of an accident, depending on the damages. All auto insurance policies in Tennessee must include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, though policyholders may choose to decline coverage. UM/UIM coverage plays a large role in helping victims of auto accidents recover compensation for injuries and property damage when the at-fault party lacks sufficient coverage. This insurance can also be useful in hit-and-run cases if the victim of an accident is unable to identify a responsible party and hold them accountable.
What Is an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver in Nashville, Tennessee?
Understanding the concept of an uninsured driver may seem fairly self-explanatory, accounting for drivers who operate a vehicle without any form of auto insurance. However, not all uninsured drivers simply forgot or failed to purchase insurance. Rather, some uninsured drivers may:
- Allow their insurance policy to lapse, meaning that they failed to pay on time and let their coverage and benefits come to an end.
- Be driving a stolen vehicle, in which case they would not be covered under any insurance policy.
- Use expired or fraudulent documentation.
Individuals in Nashville who are caught driving without insurance may face fines up to $300 and a suspended license until you are able to provide proof of valid insurance.
On the other hand, an underinsured driver is one that has an active insurance policy but does not possess the coverage necessary to fully compensate the victims of an accident. A driver may be considered to be underinsured in Nashville when:
- They only carry the minimum required liability insurance.
- The medical expenses, vehicle damage, and lost wages outweigh the policy limits of the at-fault driver.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance company denies part of the claim or delays payment.
If the victim of the car accident’s damages are greater than the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, they may lean on their UM/UIM coverage to provide additional support. With the rising and overwhelming costs of medical care and vehicle repairs, UM/UIM coverage can be incredibly helpful after a collision with an underinsured driver.
There are a number of different reasons why a driver in Nashville might choose the minimum liability or forego insurance altogether. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Financial struggles: Purchasing and owning a car is expensive enough already. The added cost of insurance can be burdensome for lower-income individuals or those struggling financially. Younger drivers often have a difficult time paying higher premiums, as well as individuals with bad credit or drivers with previous violations.
- Uninformed or unaware drivers: Some drivers in Nashville are simply unaware that auto insurance is a legal requirement in the state of Tennessee. Other drivers may have purchased insurance in the past, though they failed to renew their expired policy.
- Lapsed policies: Similarly, some drivers may fail to pay their insurance on time, allowing their coverage to lapse and their benefits to end. Many insurance companies offer a grace period after a missed payment, but companies may cancel your policy, especially if you have a history of violations and prior offenses.
- Drivers don’t think they will need it: Some drivers think that either because they drive an old or inexpensive vehicle or because they are great drivers, they will never get into an accident and need to use their insurance.
According to Bankrate, Tennessee has the
4th highest percentage of uninsured drivers of any state in the country, with 21% of drivers traveling without insurance. This means that 1 in 5 drivers in Tennessee do not have any form of auto insurance whatsoever. The high rate of uninsured and underinsured drivers in Nashville highlights the importance of opting in to your insurance company’s UM/UIM coverage. You may be a safe and experienced driver, but an uninsured motorist could cause an accident at any second, leaving you injured and unable to pursue compensation.
If you have been involved in an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Nashville, Glenn Injury Law is here to help. Our firm has over a decade of experience successfully representing victims who have been injured in serious car accidents, and we are prepared to help you recover compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and property damage after an accident with an uninsured driver.
Common Types of Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers in Nashville
There are thousands of car accidents and
truck accidents in Nashville and throughout the state of Tennessee every year. A collision could help in a split second, leaving victims with little time to react. Accidents involving uninsured and underinsured motorists can happen in a number of different ways, just like a regular accident. Some of the most common types of auto accidents involving uninsured and underinsured drivers include:
- Hit-and-run accidents: After an accident, a driver may choose to flee the scene of the crash. They may do this because they lack insurance, are driving a stolen car, are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or more. A driver who leaves the scene of an accident is considered to be uninsured unless they are able to be identified and confirmed to have coverage.
- T-bone accidents: T-bone collisions, or side-impact collisions, commonly happen at intersections in Nashville and are one of the most familiar types of collisions on the road. These accidents typically happen when an uninsured or underinsured driver fails to yield at a stop sign or red light and causes an accident with one or more vehicles.
- Rear-end collisions: Among uninsured and underinsured drivers, rear-end collisions are a common sight. A driver may cause a rear-end collision if they were driving distracted or were following too closely to the vehicle in front of them (tailgating). These accidents typically cause whiplash and other neck injuries and can be costly. If an uninsured driver thinks they may have injured someone in an accident, they may feel compelled to flee.
- Head-on collisions: These accidents are some of the most dangerous and often lead to serious injuries, property damage, and sometimes even death. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or lacks sufficient insurance, they may drive away in fear of facing serious financial and legal repercussions.
- Drunk driving accidents: Many Nashville drivers with prior DUI convictions may encounter higher premiums because of their high-risk status. Their coverage may not be comprehensive or adequate enough to effectively cover the victim’s damages.
Regardless of the type of accident, Glenn Injury Law takes great pride in helping victims of serious auto accidents in Nashville recover compensation and hold the responsible party accountable. We work closely with our clients to help determine a responsible party and explore all legal options. If you or a loved one has been injured in a UM/UIM accident, contact our Nashville team today for a free consultation.
How Can an Attorney Help After an Accident with an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver in Nashville?
Car accidents are frightening experiences that can often lead to great financial hardships, serious injuries, and psychological trauma. When you factor an uninsured or underinsured driver into the equation, these cases can become even more complicated. When victims in Nashville and their families have been injured because of another driver’s negligence, Glenn Injury Law steps in to help you recover the compensation you deserve and help you on a path toward recovery and justice.
After being injured in a Nashville auto accident, you need the legal support and guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney like Craig Glenn. Glenn Injury Law has helped injured victims in Nashville and its surrounding cities claim compensation when another driver’s carelessness leaves them injured with few options for a payout.
There are a number of ways that Craig Glenn and the team at Glenn Injury Law can step in to help after you or a loved one has been injured in a Nashville car accident with an uninsured driver. For example, our team can assist by:
- Filing an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claim: If you carry UM/UIM coverage in Nashville, our team can help you file a claim with your insurance provider. We are here to make sure that all of the necessary paperwork is filed in a timely manner, including medical records, police reports, expenses, and all other important documentation.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: It is not uncommon for an insurance company to look for a way to minimize the payout after an accident. To avoid a large settlement, they may try to lowball you in hopes that you accept their first offer and avoid lengthy negotiations. At Glenn Injury Law, we know exactly how to communicate with pesky insurance companies who are unwilling to cooperate. We will ensure that you receive the maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
- Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit: Our team will work hard to identify a responsible party and determine liability in your case. By pursuing legal action against the at-fault party, we can help you recover additional compensation. However, many drivers who travel without insurance are typically not in a financial position to pay additional damages, highlighting the importance of UM/UIM coverage.
- Handling related cases: If you have lost a loved one in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Nashville, our team can help you seek compensation by pursuing a wrongful death claim. We take great pride in helping our clients seek justice for their family members. We can also handle hit-and-run accidents and work closely with law enforcement and insurance providers to identify a liable driver.
Our team is here to help injured victims in Nashville seek justice and recover compensation for their financial losses after an accident. We also help victims seek compensation for any noneconomic damages after an accident. In Nashville, victims of these accidents may be eligible to recover various forms of compensation—including in cases of
wrongful death, where surviving family members may pursue damages for the loss of a loved one caused by another party’s negligence;
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, emergency room visits, and surgeries can add up quickly. Our team will help you recover damages for all medical expenses, as well as any ongoing medical treatment that will be necessary in the future.
- Lost wages: When a victim is badly injured in an accident, it may prevent them from returning to work for the foreseeable future. Glenn Injury Law helps injured victims in Nashville recover compensation for income that they have missed out on, as well as their reduced earning capacity moving forward.
- Pain and suffering: Victims of serious auto accidents often live the remainder of their lives with chronic pain, emotional distress, and a reduced quality of life. We are here to help victims claim compensation for the physical and psychological pain that they must live with after a traumatic accident.
- Property damage: In Nashville, victims of uninsured/underinsured motorist accidents can seek compensation for any repairs needed for their vehicle, including a complete replacement of their vehicle if necessary.
As we mentioned earlier, we also take great pride in helping families recover wrongful death damages when they lose a family member in a Nashville accident.
At Glenn Injury Law, we are not focused on reaching a quick settlement. We are interested in making a positive difference in our client’s lives, helping them secure the maximum compensation when an uninsured or underinsured driver negligently causes them harm. Craig Glenn specialized in helping victims of
catastrophic injuries fight for compensation for their long-term care, rehabilitation, and future needs.
Do not hesitate to contact Glenn Injury Law for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident. Whether you have suffered injuries from an uninsured motorist in a hit-and-run accident,
bicycle accident, or
pedestrian accident, we want to hear from you. We offer the personalized care and attention that many of the larger firms are unable to provide. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win. For more information about how Glenn Injury Law can help you claim compensation after your uninsured/underinsured motorist accident, call us today or connect with us online.
Contact Glenn Injury Law Today for a Free Consultation
When you are suffering from injuries after any auto accident, you need an experienced and dedicated attorney who will fight for your rights and stand by your side every step of the way. Craig Glenn and the team at Glenn Injury Law are the names that you can trust to handle your UM/UIM accident case with confidence and clarity. We keep an open line of communication with our clients at all times, allowing you to rest assured knowing that you have access to head attorney Craig Glenn throughout your claim.
When an uninsured or underinsured driver’s negligence leads to injury, Glenn Injury Law steps in to help. We pride ourselves on our ability to offer compassionate and winning legal representation to victims who are in need of a helping hand. We serve injured victims in Nashville and its surrounding cities.
Call us today or connect with us online for your free consultation and get started on your path toward justice. Come see why injured victims and their families have repeatedly trusted Glenn Injury Law to secure a favorable outcome in their Nashville personal injury case.
