When you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Georgetown, the financial consequences can be significant. Many drivers on the road lack adequate insurance coverage, which means the risk of this happening to you is real. If you find yourself in this situation, you may feel overwhelmed by medical bills, vehicle damage, and lost income. That is when Evans Moore can step in. The firm handles uninsured and underinsured motorist issues for people injured in crashes, including claims that may be made through a client’s own UM/UIM coverage when a negligent driver does not carry sufficient insurance.
Why Choose Evans Moore for Your Uninsured Motorist Claim
When the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, it is important to have an attorney who understands both South Carolina personal injury law and how auto insurance policies work. Evans Moore represents injured people in Georgetown and across South Carolina in car accident and insurance claims, including situations involving uninsured and underinsured drivers. The firm’s lawyers are familiar with how insurance companies evaluate claims and what types of evidence can strengthen a request for UM/UIM benefits.
The firm offers free consultations and works on a contingency-fee basis in injury cases, meaning attorney’s fees are typically collected only if money is recovered for the client. If an insurance company underpays or denies a valid claim, the firm can file suit and litigate the dispute. Clients receive individualized attention, and the attorneys aim to protect each client’s rights and pursue the full value of available insurance coverage rather than promising a specific outcome. With over $200 million in verdicts and settlements, Evans Moore has the experience to handle complex insurance disputes. The firm’s personal injury attorneys have secured significant recoveries for injured clients across South Carolina.
What Is Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Understanding UM/UIM Coverage in South Carolina
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance. It can also apply in certain hit-and-run situations where the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are not enough to cover your damages and you have purchased UIM on your own policy. These protections are designed to help fill gaps when the other driver’s insurance will not fully cover your losses.
In South Carolina, UM coverage is mandatory up to at least the minimum liability limits under S.C. Code § 38-77-150, and drivers may elect to purchase additional UM and UIM coverage beyond that statutory minimum. The South Carolina Department of Insurance requires insurers to offer UM coverage up to the insured’s liability limits and to offer UIM coverage as well; drivers may choose whether to buy the offered UIM coverage. Your auto policy may include:
Bodily injury coverage under UM/UIM for medical expenses, lost wages, and other injury-related losses.
Property damage coverage under UM and, if purchased, UIM for damage to your vehicle and certain personal property.
What Happens When You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
Immediate Steps to Take After an Accident
The actions you take immediately after an accident can affect both your bodily injury and UM/UIM claims. Steps that typically help protect your rights include:
- Calling the police and reporting the collision so that there is an official record.
- Obtaining information from the other driver, if possible, including name and contact details.
- Gathering facts about the crash location, time, and conditions.
- Taking photos of vehicle damage, the scene, and visible injuries.
- Getting prompt medical evaluation for any symptoms.
Notifying your insurance company within a reasonable time and following any reporting requirements in your policy.
Accepting a quick settlement or signing documents too soon can be risky, because some injuries develop over time and the full cost of treatment may not be immediately clear. It is generally wise to speak with an attorney before resolving your claim so you understand the scope of your potential damages and coverage. For guidance on what to do after an accident, see our comprehensive guide to accident procedures. Understanding how to read an accident report can also help you prepare for your claim. A Georgetown car accident attorney can guide you through each step of the process.
How Evans Moore Helps You Handle Insurance Claims
Filing a UM/UIM claim means requesting benefits from your own insurer based on coverage you purchased, while still proving that another driver was at fault and that your damages exceed the available liability coverage. Insurance companies sometimes dispute fault, question the nature or extent of injuries, or interpret policy language narrowly in an effort to reduce what they pay.
Evans Moore can:
- Review your policy to identify all applicable UM and UIM coverages.
- Investigate the crash and gather supporting evidence, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
- Present your claim and handle communications and negotiations with the insurance carrier.
- File a lawsuit, when appropriate, if the insurer unreasonably delays, underpays, or denies the claim.
The firm’s objective is to help you pursue the compensation your policy and South Carolina law may allow, without implying that a particular result is guaranteed in any given case. Whether you are dealing with a car accident claim or a more complex personal injury matter, the firm has the experience to guide you. The firm’s attorneys have been recognized for their work in personal injury litigation and have secured significant recoveries for injured clients. When insurance companies deny claims, insurance bad faith claims may provide an additional avenue for recovery.
Types of Damages You Can Seek
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the measurable financial losses associated with the crash. In a UM/UIM context, these can include:
- Medical expenses, such as emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and follow-up care.
- Lost income when injuries prevent you from working.
- Reduced earning capacity if long-term impairments affect your ability to work.
Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and certain personal property.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages relate to the human impact of an injury rather than out-of-pocket bills. Depending on the facts and applicable law, these may include:
- Pain and suffering associated with physical injuries.
- Emotional distress, such as anxiety or sleep difficulties after a serious crash.
- Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries limit activities and relationships that were important to you before the accident.
These losses are more subjective than economic damages and often require careful documentation and explanation to an insurance adjuster, judge, or jury. Understanding how to value these damages is critical to achieving fair compensation. The brain injury attorneys at Evans Moore have recovered over $50 million in settlements and verdicts for clients with serious injuries. For those injured in truck accidents, similar principles apply to calculating damages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uninsured Motorist Claims
What if the uninsured driver was at fault?
If an uninsured driver caused the collision, you may pursue a claim under the UM coverage on your own policy, subject to your policy limits and South Carolina law. Your insurer will investigate liability, just as if it were insuring the at-fault driver, and will evaluate your damages in light of the evidence. UM coverage exists specifically to provide a potential source of recovery in this scenario, but payment is not automatic; you still must prove fault and damages. In some cases, hit-and-run accidents may also trigger UM coverage protections.
How long do I have to file a claim?
You generally must report an accident and potential UM/UIM claim to your insurer within the time frames required by your policy, and any lawsuit arising from the crash is also subject to South Carolina statutes of limitations. Because deadlines can vary based on the facts and type of claim, it is important to contact your insurer promptly and speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an uninsured or underinsured motorist crash. Our guide on how long after a car accident you can claim injury explains the typical three-year statute of limitations in South Carolina. Waiting too long to file can result in losing your right to recover.
What if my insurance company denies my claim?
If your insurance company denies or undervalues your UM/UIM claim, you may challenge that decision through internal appeals, negotiation, or litigation. In some circumstances, an insurer’s refusal to pay benefits owed can raise bad-faith issues under South Carolina law. Evans Moore can review the denial letter, analyze your policy, gather additional evidence if needed, and advise you about options for contesting the insurer’s position. The firm’s insurance claims attorneys have extensive experience fighting for fair compensation when insurers deny or delay payment. Wrongful death claims may also arise when a UM/UIM accident results in a fatality.
Contact Evans Moore for Your Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Georgetown or elsewhere in South Carolina, you do not have to manage the insurance process alone. Evans Moore offers free consultations to discuss your situation and explain how UM/UIM coverage may apply to your case. The firm works on a contingency-fee basis in injury matters, so you do not pay attorney’s fees up front, and fees are typically collected only if money is recovered on your behalf. Contact Evans Moore online today to schedule your free consultation.
Call (843) 995-5000 today to schedule your free consultation and speak with a member of the team about your rights and options after an uninsured or underinsured motorist accident.
