Maryland Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

When an at-fault driver's insurance may not cover your losses

A serious car accident can leave you facing medical treatment, lost income, pain, and long-term changes to your life. The problem can become more complicated when the driver who caused the crash has liability insurance, but the available coverage may not be enough to address the full value of your losses. In these situations, an underinsured motorist claim may become an important part of pursuing compensation, depending on the insurance policies and facts involved.

Kisner Law helps injured Maryland clients evaluate the insurance and legal issues that can arise after serious motor vehicle crashes. Attorney Jason Kisner's prior experience working for insurance companies gives him insight into how insurers may evaluate claims, question injuries, or attempt to limit what they pay. Our firm can investigate the collision, assess the available coverage, document damages, and pursue the recovery that may be available under the circumstances.

Insurance coverage should be reviewed carefully before assumptions are made about the amount that can be recovered. There may be more than one policy or source of coverage to examine, and the relationship between the underlying liability claim and an underinsured motorist claim can depend on the specific policy terms and facts. An attorney can help trace the available coverage and explain what questions should be addressed before a claim is resolved.

Understanding an Underinsured Motorist Claim

An underinsured motorist situation generally arises when the at-fault driver's available liability insurance may not be sufficient to cover the injured person's losses. The underlying claim against the responsible driver still matters. Liability, fault, causation, injuries, and damages may all need to be established before the overall recovery picture can be evaluated.

Your own insurance policy may also provide underinsured motorist coverage, but whether coverage applies and how it may affect a claim depends on the policy language, the circumstances of the crash, and other facts. These cases can involve detailed insurance questions that are difficult to evaluate from a settlement offer alone. An attorney can review the relevant policies and claim information to help identify potentially available options.

Building the Underlying Accident Claim

A strong underinsured motorist claim starts with a careful evaluation of the collision itself. Evidence may include police reports, photographs and video, vehicle damage, witness statements, medical records, and other information showing how the crash occurred. Depending on the circumstances, additional evidence may help establish the sequence of events or address a dispute about responsibility.

Kisner Law can work to identify and preserve relevant evidence while developing the underlying liability claim. Establishing what happened is important not only when seeking compensation from the at-fault driver's insurer, but also when evaluating whether additional recovery may potentially be available through your own coverage.

Documenting Serious Injuries and Losses

Underinsured motorist issues often become important when an injury claim involves substantial losses. Medical treatment, rehabilitation, future care, lost wages, reduced earning ability, property damage, pain, and the effects of an injury on everyday life may all be relevant to the value of a claim, depending on the circumstances.

Some injuries can have consequences that are not immediately apparent. A traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, fracture, or other serious condition may require extended treatment and affect a person's ability to work or participate in normal activities. See our catastrophic injuries resource for more information about severe, potentially life-changing injuries.

Evaluating the Value of Your Claim

An insurance policy's available coverage does not necessarily tell the whole story of an injury claim. The value of the underlying losses may need to be established before it is clear whether the at-fault driver's insurance can reasonably address the damages.

Kisner Law can review medical documentation, wage and employment information, treatment history, and other evidence relevant to your losses. We can also consider the continuing effects of an injury rather than focusing only on bills already incurred. A careful valuation can help provide a clearer basis for evaluating insurance offers and determining what recovery may potentially remain available.

Dealing With Insurance Company Disputes

Insurance companies may investigate claims closely, request extensive documentation, dispute the seriousness or cause of an injury, or make settlement offers that do not reflect the full circumstances of a loss. A claim involving underinsured motorist coverage can add another layer of insurance-related issues, particularly when the value of the injuries is significant.

Because policy language and claim circumstances vary, it is important not to assume that an insurer's position is the final word. An attorney can examine the relevant coverage, communications, medical evidence, and liability information and help determine how to respond to disputes. Kisner Law can communicate with insurers and advocate for a fair evaluation of the claim.

How Kisner Law Can Help

After a serious motor vehicle crash, you may be dealing with treatment, work interruptions, financial pressure, and uncertainty about how insurance will respond. Our firm can help organize the legal and insurance issues so you have a clearer understanding of your options.

Our representation may include investigating the accident, identifying responsible parties, reviewing applicable insurance policies, gathering evidence, documenting injuries and financial losses, evaluating settlement offers, and negotiating with insurers. When necessary, an attorney can also assess whether further legal action may be appropriate. Every case is different, and the available recovery depends on the facts, applicable policies, and other circumstances.

Related Car Accident and Personal Injury Resources

Underinsured motorist claims are closely connected to the broader issues involved in motor vehicle and personal injury cases. Our car accident resource provides additional information about collisions, liability, injuries, and the recovery process. You can also learn more about our broader personal injury services.

Talk With a Maryland Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

If you were seriously injured in a crash and the at-fault driver's available insurance may not fully address your losses, it may be worth having an attorney review the circumstances and potentially available coverage. Kisner Law can evaluate your accident, injuries, damages, and insurance issues and explain the legal options that may be available.

Contact Kisner Law to schedule a consultation, or call 240-459-0097. Let Kisner Law review your situation and help you understand the next steps.