Car Accidents Without Insurance in Knoxville
Strong advocacy for victims of accidents caused by uninsured drivers
While all drivers in Tennessee are required to have liability insurance, the reality is that many drivers drive without insurance. Even legal minimums can be expensive for some drivers who are willing to risk a license suspension in return for not having coverage. Some drivers in Knoxville drive without insurance because they can’t obtain insurance due to a suspended license or for other reasons. At Banks & Jones, our Knoxville car accident lawyers help car accident victims when the responsible driver is uninsured. We’ll explain how you can use your UM/UIM policy to be compensated for your injuries.
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How can we help?
- How much liability insurance are uninsured drivers in Knoxville required to have?
- When can I file a UM/UIM claim in Knoxville?
- Who can file a UM/UIM claim in Knoxville?
- What if the driver who struck me was a hit-and-run driver?
- What happens if there is more than one responsible party?
- What other insurance coverage may pay part or all of my car accident claim?
- Do you have a Knoxville uninsured/underinsured accident lawyer near me?
How much liability insurance are uninsured drivers in Knoxville required to have?
In Tennessee, every automobile liability insurance policy is required to provide uninsured/underinsured coverage (UM/UIM) coverage in the same amounts as the liability coverage. The minimum liability coverage owners must have for all drivers of their vehicle is:
- Bodily injury and wrongful death coverage for one person in one accident. $25,000 is the minimum.
- Bodily injury and wrongful death for multiple people in one accident. $50,00 is the minimum.
- Property damage for each accident. $25,000 per accident.
Bodily injury coverage compensates victims for their medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and scarring and disfigurement.
At Banks & Jones, we recommend that all drivers have much more than the minimum coverage if they can afford the premiums. Just one night in a hospital can cost a fortune. When victims have severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or severe burns, the value of their case can be hundreds of thousands or even more than one million dollars.
Many new vehicles cost upwards of $30,000 or $40,000.
If you purchase liability insurance coverage, you must buy minimum UM/UIM coverage too. If you buy more than the Tennessee minimum of liability coverage, you can buy the same amount of UM/UIM coverage – or just the state minimum UM/UIM coverage – though we recommend that your UM/UIM coverage be in the same amount as your liability coverage.
When can I file a UM/UIM claim in Knoxville?
You can file for UM/UIM benefits if the driver and/or car owner who are responsible for your accident do not have insurance or do not have the minimum insurance necessary to pay your claim. Normally, we begin each claim by asking the defendant (or their lawyer) if they have liability coverage. Drivers in Tennessee must have their insurance ID card with them when they drive and share the card with any victims and the police if an accident happens. The ID card should include the name of the insured; the name of the insurance company; the policy number; and the year, make, and model of the vehicles that the policy covers.
- If the defendants (driver and/or owner of the vehicle) do not have liability insurance, we can immediately notify your UM/UIM carrier that will be pursuing your damage claim through them.
- If we believe your case is worth more than the policy limits that the defendants have, we’ll notify your UM/UIM carrier immediately too. We’ll explain when you can pursue your liability claim. You might need to wait until the liability claim against the driver is completed and the liability carrier for the driver/owner has paid their part of your claim.
If a driver does not have the state minimum, their Tennessee driver’s license could be suspended.
In Tennessee, you must file your car accident claim(s) against the defendants and with your insurance company within one year of the date of the accident. Shorter timelines may apply, depending on the terms of your UM/UIM policy and other factors.
Who can file a UM/UIM claim in Knoxville?
The right to file a UM/UIM claim applies to any accident victim who has a claim against the driver. These victims generally include:
- The driver and passengers in the car the negligent driver struck.
- Members of your family or household.
- A pedestrian, if the pedestrian had UM/UIM coverage on a car he/she owns.
- A bicycle rider, if the rider had UM/UIM coverage on a car he/she owns.
- The family of any accident victim who was killed by a negligent driver, if the victim had UM/UIM insurance on a car they owned at the time of the accident.
What if the driver who struck me was a hit-and-run driver?
Your uninsured/underinsured policy should cover any accident where the responsible party is a hit-and-run driver. We work with the police and investigators to locate hit-and-run drivers. We file claims with your UM/UIM carrier when a hit-and-run driver can’t be found.
What happens if there is more than one responsible party?
We’ll explain how UM/UIM coverage works when some of the responsible defendants in a Knoxville car accident are insured and some are not insured.
In addition to the driver and owner of the car that hit you, other responsible defendants may include:
- An employer of the driver
- More than one driver
- A manufacturer of defective car parts
- A bar, tavern, or any entity that sold alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated or a minor who then caused your accident due to their intoxication.
What other insurance coverage may pay part or all of my car accident claim?
At Banks & Jones, we’ll help you obtain any other insurance coverage that can help pay for your damages. Some of the additional sources of payment for your financial and personal damages may include:
- Your own health insurance policy
- A disability policy which pays some of your lost income regardless of fault
- Your own MedPay coverage if you purchased it
Do you have a Knoxville uninsured/underinsured accident lawyer near me?
At Banks & Jones, we’ve been Fighting 2 Win for car accident victims for 30 years. We meet personal injury victims and families at our Knoxville office located at 2125 Middlebrook Pike. We can also meet clients with very severe injuries at their homes and hospitals. Phone and video consultations are also welcome.
We’ll explain all your rights and demand compensation from all the responsible defendants and insurance companies.
Contact our experienced Knoxville uninsured accident lawyers now
The drivers who cause your injuries should pay for your damages. To protect yourself, you should carry UM/UIM insurance in case a negligent driver fails to prioritize your safety. At Banks & Jones, we are respected by former clients for our preparation, advocacy, and our strong record of verdicts and settlements. We work to obtain full compensation for all your economic and personal damages. Please call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation.