Charleston Underinsured Motorist

The state of South Carolina establishes minimum coverage requirements that all auto insurance policies issued in the state must meet. However, although those amounts are designed to provide a financial resource sufficient to address the needs created by a typical accident, the high costs of medical care and auto repair frequently outpace those minimums, potentially leaving the victim of an accident well short of the monetary resources needed for recovery.

Coverage against Underinsured Drivers

Many insurers offer underinsured motorist coverage as an additional option for an auto policy, and this coverage is supposed to make up for the gap between the at-fault driver’s liability limit and both the monetary and non-economic costs inflicted upon you by the accident.

If you elected to purchase this insurance, you may be able to obtain benefits sufficient to pay for your expenses. But, consider the following situation:

• You were hit by a driver with $20,000 liability coverage and you have $20,000 in underinsured motorist coverage
• Your medical expenses were $18,000 and your injuries kept you out of work for one month, costing you $3,500 in wages
• Your car was a total loss and was valued at $25,000

Even though you did the responsible thing by obtaining underinsured motorist coverage, you are still at a $6,500 net loss, and that does not include a valuation of your pain and suffering.

Contact Us

This happens more often than you may think, and the Charleston car accident attorneys of the Steinberg Law Firm have seen it time and again. Whether or not you chose to purchase underinsured motorist coverage as part of your policy, the extent of the damage you and your property suffered may mean that taking legal action to recover compensation is a good option.

If you find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place due to an accident with an underinsured motorist, contact the Charleston underinsured motorist lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 to see what legal options you may have.