A car accident can result in serious injuries, missed time from work, and financial hardships that may last months or even years. In North Carolina, you can hold the negligent driver accountable for your damages and recover compensation, typically by filing a claim with their auto insurer.
The situation becomes far more complicated if the driver who caused your crash doesn’t have insurance. Our uninsured motorist accident lawyers in Huntersville can explain your options and help ensure you are not stuck paying for another driver’s negligence.
At DeMayo Law Offices, our legal team has recovered over $1 billion in judgments and settlements for our clients. Call today to schedule a free consultation and find out how our Huntersville car accident lawyers can help when an uninsured motorist injures you.
What Are Auto Insurance Requirements In North Carolina?
North Carolina requires all registered vehicles to maintain continuous auto liability insurance. If coverage lapses, the state may impose civil penalties and revoke vehicle registration. State-mandated minimum limits required by all drivers are:
- $50,000 per person,
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $50,000 for property damage
The state also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in at least the same minimum amounts. If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, consult with our Huntersville personal injury lawyers as soon as possible, and before talking to insurers.
For a free legal consultation with an uninsured accident lawyer serving Huntersville, call (877) 333-1000
Will Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay For My Damages?
If an uninsured driver hits you, your uninsured motorist coverage can cover your damages, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. Since North Carolina requires this coverage, you should have it as part of your protection.
After a crash, you must file a claim with your own insurer, who will cover the costs normally handled by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Your insurer may later seek reimbursement from the uninsured driver.
Huntersville Uninsured Accident Lawyer Near Me (877) 333-1000
Should You Negotiate With Your Own Insurance Company?
Insurance adjusters are not your friends, even those who work for your own insurer. Your insurance company’s goal is to minimize payouts, and their first settlement offer is often lower than what your claim is actually worth. Always consult with our lawyers before accepting.
Our uninsured motorist accident attorneys in Huntersville will review any settlement offers by your insurer and make sure they are treating you fairly. If not, we will negotiate for the settlement you deserve, represent you in arbitration, or potentially file a civil lawsuit.
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Can You Sue an Uninsured Motorist in North Carolina?
You can sue an uninsured driver for negligence just like you would any at-fault driver. North Carolina law requires you to notify your insurer in writing that the other driver is uninsured before filing a lawsuit, and you must wait for a set period of time for confirmation.
Suing an uninsured driver can establish liability and damages, but collecting compensation from them may be difficult if the driver has limited assets. Often, your own insurer gets involved in the lawsuit if they may be responsible for paying damages up to your policy limits.
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What Is Stacking Coverage?
Stacking UM/UIM coverage allows you to combine the coverage limits from more than one auto insurance policy, increasing the total amount available to compensate you after a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
North Carolina allows inter-policy stacking, meaning you can add together the highest limits from multiple vehicles or policies you own. Our Huntersville uninsured motorist accident lawyers will explain motorist insurance coverage and seek every avenue for maximizing your compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in North Carolina?
According to North Carolina General Statute § 1-52(5), the law generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This statute of limitations also applies to uninsured motorist cases. There are exceptions in some cases:
- If the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations tolls until they turn 18.
- If the injured person is legally incompetent or lacks mental capacity at the time of injury, the time limit is tolled until they regain capacity.
- For injuries that are not immediately obvious, the statute may start when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been.
- Wrongful death claims have a separate deadline and must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Talk to Our Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorneys in Huntersville
A car accident is always a stressful event, even when your injuries are relatively minor. Crashes that cause serious or catastrophic injuries can mean high medical bills and other expenses. A bad situation gets worse when you find out the other driver is uninsured.
North Carolina drivers who fail to insure their vehicles can face serious consequences, but that doesn’t stop people from driving without insurance. Our uninsured motorist accident attorneys in Huntersville can help find ways to recover the compensation you need.
Our team at DeMayo Law Offices has more than 250 years of combined legal experience, advocating for injured accident victims in North Carolina. We People Over Profits®. Call today for your free consultation and tell us about your car accident.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
