A Personal Injury Attorney Answers: Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Include a Hit and Run in Charlotte?
Yale Haymond Law PLLC understands the frustration of experiencing damage in a hit-and-run accident. Victims often ask these attorneys: “Does uninsured motorist insurance cover hit-and-run accidents?”
The answer is usually yes, but the coverage depends on a person’s insurance policy.
NC Uninsured Motorist Coverage
North Carolina is one of 20 states requiring uninsured motorist coverage. All drivers must carry uninsured/underinsured coverage, which comes in handy when they experience an accident in which the at-fault driver cannot pay for the damages with their insurance.
In a hit-and-run, the at-fault driver flees the scene before providing their contact or insurance information, preventing the victim from filing a claim for damages through the at-fault party’s insurance. Thankfully, victims can often use their uninsured motorist coverage to pay for their repairs.
What Does an Uninsured Motorist Cover?
Uninsured motorist insurance pays for damage caused by another driver who either does not have insurance, who does not have adequate insurance to cover all damages, or whom the victim cannot locate. In contrast, if the accident did not involve any other drivers, such as if a person crashed into a guard rail, they would use their comprehensive coverage to pay for the damage.
Uninsured motorist insurance typically includes two main types of coverage:
- Bodily injury coverage, which pays for medical treatments for any injuries the victim experienced
- Property damage coverage, which covers physical damage to the victim’s vehicle
However, the insurance policy limits and policy deductibles affect the exact amount of coverage the victim qualifies for. Many North Carolina drivers only hold the minimum uninsured motorist coverage, which is $30,000 for injuries per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Are There Other Ways To Seek Compensation After a Hit and Run?
Before beginning the uninsured motorist insurance claims process, victims should call and work with an attorney to understand North Carolina car insurance laws and contributory negligence, review their coverage, and attempt to locate the at-fault driver. An attorney can investigate the accident and try tracking down who was at fault. If this person can be located, the victim may seek compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Contact Yale Haymond Law PLLC
Does an uninsured motorist cover hit-and-runs? Yes, but victims should explore all their options before filing a claim. Interested parties can call Charlotte personal injury attorneys of Yale Haymond Law PLLC, at 704-800-HELP (4357) to schedule a free consultation.
