Bethesda Uninsured Driver Accident Lawyers
Even though every Maryland driver is required to carry auto insurance, far too many people take the risk of driving without it. When they cause a crash, their lack of insurance becomes your problem, unless you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage and the right legal team to help you make the most of it. At Maryland Injury Lawyers, our Bethesda uninsured driver accident lawyers fight for injured drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians who’ve been hit by uninsured or underinsured motorists. We help our clients navigate complex UM claims and get the full compensation they’re entitled to under the law.
Maryland Auto Insurance Requirements
Maryland law requires all drivers to carry minimum amounts of auto liability insurance. Every vehicle registered in the state must be insured for at least:
- $30,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $60,000 for bodily injury per accident (if more than one person is hurt)
- $15,000 for property damage
Unfortunately, these limits are far too low to cover serious or catastrophic injuries. Hospital bills, surgery, and rehabilitation alone can easily exceed $30,000, and that doesn’t begin to address lost wages, long-term disability, or pain and suffering. Many responsible drivers wisely purchase higher policy limits and add Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to protect themselves from the risks posed by others who don’t follow the law.
The Problem of Uninsured Drivers in Bethesda
Despite the legal requirements, approximately 17% of Maryland drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The numbers are even worse just a few miles south, where over 25% of drivers in Washington, D.C. are uninsured. That means nearly one in four or five drivers you share the road with may have no insurance at all. When these drivers cause serious crashes, innocent victims are left scrambling for coverage.
That’s where your Uninsured Motorist coverage comes in. This insurance is part of your own policy, designed to step in and pay your damages when the at-fault driver is uninsured or can’t be identified, such as in a hit-and-run accident. Similarly, Underinsured Motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your full losses.
Why You Still Need a Lawyer for a UM Claim
Many people think that since UM claims are made through “their own” insurance company, the process will be straightforward and fair. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case. Insurance companies—even your own—are profit-driven businesses that look for ways to reduce or deny payouts. When you file a UM claim, the insurer essentially steps into the shoes of the uninsured driver and becomes your opponent in the claim.
They may dispute liability, claiming you were partially or wholly at fault, or challenge your damages, questioning your medical treatment or the seriousness of your injuries. Insurance companies are also known to quickly offer a cash settlement that does not fully meet your needs, hoping you’ll accept it out of financial pressure before finding out how much you really deserve.
It’s important to understand that Maryland follows a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning if you’re found even 1% at fault, you cannot recover anything, even through your own UM coverage. Insurance companies use this harsh rule to their advantage, trying to shift even a sliver of blame onto the injured party. Without an experienced attorney to push back, you risk walking away with far less than your claim is worth—or nothing at all.
The Role of a Lawyer in Your UM Claim
A skilled Bethesda uninsured driver accident lawyer will take immediate steps to protect your rights and build the strongest possible case. This includes:
- Conducting an independent investigation into how the crash happened
- Gathering police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage
- Working with medical experts and economists to document your injuries and losses
- Negotiating aggressively with the insurance company to pursue full compensation
- Taking the case to arbitration or trial, if necessary, to enforce your rights
Your attorney ensures that you meet all notice and procedural requirements for making a UM claim and that the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you through delays, denials, or lowball offers. In short, having a lawyer levels the playing field.
Compensation Available in a UM Claim
Through a UM claim, you can seek compensation just as you would in a traditional fault-based claim, including:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent impairment or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
The goal is to make you financially whole, even though the at-fault driver lacked insurance. But achieving that goal often requires persistence, expertise, and an aggressive approach to negotiations.
Protecting Yourself Before and After a Crash
The best protection you can have on the road—besides safe driving habits—is adequate insurance coverage. Maryland law requires UM/UIM coverage equal to your liability limits, but you can (and should) buy more. The extra cost is modest compared to the financial ruin that can follow a serious accident with an uninsured driver.
If you’ve already been hit, your focus should be on getting the care you need and letting an experienced personal injury lawyer handle the insurance battles. Whether the other driver fled the scene, had no coverage, or carried only the bare minimum limits, our firm knows how to make your UM claim work for you.
Talk to a Bethesda Uninsured Driver Accident Lawyer Today
At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation caused by uninsured and underinsured drivers. We know how to hold insurance companies accountable and how to build strong cases for full and fair compensation. Don’t assume your insurer is on your side. They’re not.
Call our Bethesda uninsured driver accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We’ll review your policy, explain your rights, and fight to recover every dollar you deserve.
When the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance, we make sure you’re not the one left paying the price.
