Auto Accident Injury Attorneys DE
Car accidents often involve serious injuries, financial instability, hospitalization, wrongful death, missed time at work or school (sometimes both) and complex insurance issues, such as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UMUIM) claims. It can be overwhelming to the victim and their families as they may not know where to turn. At the law firm of Shelsby & Leoni our Delaware Auto Accident Lawyers are here to help you through this incredibly difficult time. Our DE car accident lawyers provide free initial consultations to help you understand your right of recovery if you or a family member has suffered a serious injury in a car accident, tractor trailer accident, motorcycle accident or pedestrian accident.
With offices in Delaware & Maryland they serve car accident, trucking accident and motorcycle accident victims in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Georgetown, Annapolis, Elkton, Rockville, Upper Marlboro, Lewes, Salisbury, Frederick, & Ocean City.
Extensive Experience with PIP Claims In DE & MD
Maryland offers up to $2,500 and Delaware offers up to $100,000 in PIP benefits for medical expenses in an auto accident, regardless of fault. This coverage is in addition to any compensation you can obtain from the at-fault driver and does not have to be reimbursed if you obtain a personal injury settlement. Our Wilmington Delaware auto accident lawyers have extensive experience litigating PIP claims in both Maryland and Delaware to help our clients recover all of the money they deserve.
In cases involving serious injury, our Newark Delaware auto accident lawyers can put you in the best position based on the facts of your case to obtain enough compensation to cover your damages, including:
- medical expenses
- lost wages
- disfigurement
- emotional distress
- pain and suffering
If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to pay your bills, our lawyers will look for other sources of compensation, such as your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
When you search for auto insurance coverage, there is typically an option to purchase underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. Understanding the protection this type of insurance provides you with can ultimately save you thousands of dollars in the event you are involved in a car accident. If you would like to file an underinsured/uninsured insurance claim as a result of suffering bodily injury or property damage in a car accident, contact my law office for a consultation. Our Delaware UMUIM attorneys can review your claim and file it on your behalf. Our Delaware and Maryland Trial Attorneys are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies to ensure my clients get the most compensation possible for medical treatment and property repairs.
What is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Underinsured motorist coverage is used to compensate drivers who are involved in car accidents with drivers who have inadequate insurance to pay for the resulting damage. Standard underinsured motorist coverage provides a driver with compensation for medical treatment and property repair when the following situations arise:
- 1. A driver who did not have sufficient liability insurance at the time of the accident to cover all related damages
- 2. An at-fault driver who had insurance at the time of the accident, but her insurance agency refuses to provide coverage for any damages
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMUIM)?
Uninsured motorist coverage typically compensates drivers for medical expenses and loss wages as a result of being injured in a car accident with an uninsured driver. For example, if a driver suffers bodily injury after being involved in a hit-and-run accident, if he has uninsured insurance coverage, he can file a claim to be compensated for medical related expenses in seeking care to treat his injury. Basically, uninsured motorist coverage is the term used when a driver insures himself against someone who has no insurance coverage at all. As Delaware UMUIM laws and Maryland UMUIM laws are very complex it makes sense to let our Lewes, Delaware auto accident lawyers handle all aspects of your UMUIM claim.
Auto Accident Attorneys Protecting You
You can protect yourself from financial despair resulting from a car accident injury by purchasing underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. Both types of policies are typically directly proportional to your own liability coverage limits. The minimum limit for such coverage in New Jersey is $5,000.
Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage requires your insurance company to “stand in the shoes” of the uninsured/underinsured party. The insurance company will only pay your claim if you were not at-fault for the accident. The amount of damages you will be able to collect will be subject to your degree of liability. For example, if your own actions contributed to 60% of the injury occurring, then you would be barred from recovery. This is because your degree of fault is greater than the other driver.
Understand Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident
Most drivers in Delaware and Maryland have UM/UIM coverage. However, few people understand their rights under this coverage. For example, all other possible insurance coverage must be exhausted before you file an underinsured motorist claim. However, most people don’t even know what other possible sources of coverage may exist. Our Newark, DE uninsured motorist injury lawyers understand how auto insurance works and can make sure that you qualify for all of the coverage you are entitled to.
Delaware recognizes first-party bad faith against insurance companies. This means that if your insurance company does not deal with you fairly on PIP or UM/UIM claims, your lawyer can sue them for the full amount they should have paid, plus punitive damages for acting in bad faith.
Contact Our Wilmington Delaware Auto Accident Lawyers
If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident in DE or MD, we invite you to contact our Newark, Delaware auto accident lawyers. They provide free initial consultations and charge no legal fees of any kind if we do not win benefits and compensation on your behalf. You may also call our auto accident injury attorneys directly by dialing (302) 995-6210 for Delaware or (410) 385-5612 for Maryland.
As they have offices in Delaware and Maryland our Delaware car accident lawyers serve accident victims in both states. This includes areas such as Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Pike Creek, Hockessin, New Castle, Talleyville, Dover, Smyrna, Georgetown, Laurel, Lewes, Seaford, Milford, Millsboro, Harrington, Annapolis, Bennsville, Waldorf, La Plata, Elkton, Bel Air, Rockville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro & Salisbury.