Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyers in Fresno

Protecting Your Right to Coverage at Every Step

If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may feel uncertain about how to recover compensation for your damages. At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our experienced Fresno uninsured motorist accident lawyers are here to guide you through this challenging time. We understand the complexities of these claims and are committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve.

Contact us online or call our office at (559) 900-1280 today to learn more about how we can help with your uninsured or underinsured motorist claim in Fresno.

What is an Uninsured Motorist?

An uninsured motorist is someone who drives without any liability insurance, even though it’s required by California law. Despite legal mandates, many drivers operate vehicles without insurance, leaving others vulnerable if an accident occurs.

If an uninsured motorist causes a collision, they lack the financial resources to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. This is where uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can help. UM coverage is part of your auto insurance policy that compensates you when the at-fault driver is uninsured.

What is an Underinsured Motorist?

An underinsured motorist has insurance, but their policy limits are insufficient to cover the full extent of the damages caused in an accident. For example, if the at-fault driver’s liability coverage only provides $15,000 in coverage, but your medical bills total $50,000, you’re left with a significant financial gap.

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage helps bridge this gap by covering the difference between the at-fault driver’s insurance limits and your total losses, up to the limits of your policy.

What Happens If You Don’t Have Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

If you don’t have UM or UIM coverage and are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, recovering compensation can be challenging. You may need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to seek damages, but this approach often has limitations:

• Limited Financial Resources of the At-Fault Driver: Most uninsured drivers lack the financial ability to pay a judgment, making it difficult to collect damages even if you win in court.
• Lengthy Legal Process: Pursuing a lawsuit can be time-consuming and costly, with no guarantee of recovery.

Without UM or UIM coverage, you might be forced to shoulder the financial burden of medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other expenses on your own.

Common Challenges in Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

Even if you have UM or UIM coverage, navigating the claims process can be complex. Insurance companies may:

• Dispute Liability: The insurer might question whether the at-fault driver was truly uninsured or underinsured.
• Offer Low Settlements: Insurers may undervalue your claim to save money, leaving you with inadequate compensation for your losses.
• Delay Payments: Lengthy delays in processing your claim can add unnecessary stress during an already difficult time.

At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, we understand the tactics insurance companies use and will fight aggressively on your behalf to ensure you receive the full value of your claim.

Why Choose Fowler | Helsel | Vogt?

Our firm is dedicated to providing compassionate, results-driven legal representation to accident victims in Fresno and throughout Central California. When you work with us, you benefit from:

• Personalized Attention: We take the time to understand the unique details of your case and develop a tailored legal strategy.
• Extensive Experience: Our attorneys have successfully handled numerous uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, giving us the knowledge needed to tackle complex cases.
• Aggressive Advocacy: We are relentless in our pursuit of justice and won’t back down from insurance companies or opposing counsel.

We understand how devastating an accident can be, especially when dealing with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Our team is here to ease your burden and guide you every step of the way.

Filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim? For a free consultation, contact us online or call our legal team at (559) 900-1280.