Q: Should I hire an attorney after a rear-end car accident with minimal insurance coverage?
I was involved in a car accident where I was rear-ended by an at-fault truck driver, leading to severe damage to my passenger van and damage to the sedan in front of me. The at-fault driver's insurance has minimal coverage ($10,000 for the damaged cars), which won't cover the repair costs for my van that will likely be assessed as totaled. I have neck pain and visited the ER, but haven’t received a long-term treatment plan. My insurance covers medical expenses, but if my injury persists, it might exceed my coverage amount. A police report was filed, but the insurance assessment hasn't started. I need an alternative car immediately, which is at my cost since my policy lacks coverage for this. My insurance advised me to keep all receipts related to the accident to submit to the at-fault driver's insurance, but I'm uncertain if all costs will be covered. Should I consider hiring an attorney, or should I handle the claim on my own?
A: A Hawaii attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I'm sorry about your accident, and the fact that your aggravation is compounded by minimal insurance coverage. It could be a difficult decision here, since the claim could be complex, in terms of involving UM (uninsured motorist coverage), and the headache of chasing your out-of-pocket rental disbursements, and other elements. On the other hand, the figures you're dealing with are limited by poor insurance coverage, and you probably want to keep as much of your compensation as possible to make up for all your troubles. You could reach out to attorneys to discuss in a free, no-obligation initial consult. That could help you make the most well-informed decision. I hope you and others involved in the accident are okay. Good luck
A: Addendum - 'Sorry... When I answered a second ago, I meant "underinsured motorist" coverage, NOT "uninsured motorist" coverage. I should have proofread my response more slowly and thoroughly before uploading! Good luck
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
