Explaining Underinsured Coverage in Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Is it possible to have enough insurance to cover any type of foreseeable accident? After all, the entire point of having insurance is to help cover the expenses of an unexpected crash.
In most situations, an at-fault driver’s insurance policy will fully cover a victim’s expenses, but the situation becomes complex when there are multiple victims and severe injuries. All insurance policies have a limit on the amount of coverage they will provide. Sometimes, this amount simply isn’t enough. What are the options for an injured victim when the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage has been exhausted?
What is Underinsured Coverage?
When motorists purchase insurance, they have the option to purchase underinsured coverage. This coverage will provide compensation to you in the event you are in a crash with a driver whose insurance can’t cover the costs.
The most common reason for using underinsurance coverage is when the at-fault driver’s insurance has been exhausted. There are a few situations that can cause this to happen such as:
- When damages exceed the at-fault driver’s coverage limits
- When there has been a multi-car collision with multiple victims seeking coverage
Sometimes, injuries resulting from car accidents can be traumatic and life-altering. These injuries can cause serious disabilities requiring large compensation amounts. If the at-fault driver’s policy is capped out at only $15,000, for example, and your damages are well over $100,000, then your own underinsured coverage can help cover the difference.
Multi-Car Crashes
When multiple cars crash due to one person’s negligence, several victims may be seeking compensation from the same insurance policy. When this happens, the combined damages of all the victims will likely exceed the policy’s limits.
For example, an intoxicated motorist slams into the back of a vehicle and causes two other cars to swerve out of the way. One of these cars smashes into a tree causing serious injuries to the passengers, while you are forced to go into a ditch. The at-fault driver is insured, but their policy limits are barely enough to cover the injured passengers in the other cars. The damages you have suffered can’t be paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage. In this situation, your best option would be to utilize the underinsured coverage from your own insurance policy.
Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Multi-Vehicle Car Crash Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an underinsured driver in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at the Law Offices of our firm founder represent clients injured because of multi-vehicle car crashes and underinsured drivers throughout New Jersey. Call 732-442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 and we also have offices in Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy and Trenton.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm, directly.
