Skilled Mississippi Lawyers Representing Victims of Accidents Caused by Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers

Helping injured drivers and passengers throughout Clarksdale, Tupelo, Jackson and beyond

Automobile insurance is a requirement for drivers under the laws of Mississippi. However, almost 23% of drivers get behind the wheel without insurance, according to a report by CarInsurance.com. There are also many drivers who are insured, but not to the required level. This negligence can create significant challenges when these individuals cause accidents and injury to others on the roadway.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we know how to effectively handle the complexities of uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims. Throughout our firm’s 35 years of legal service, we have helped numerous clients secure compensation for injuries caused by negligent drivers. Our professional Mississippi uninsured motorist lawyers have the skill to obtain the compensation you need to afford the medical costs and income loss resulting from your injury.

Understanding the challenges of uninsured and underinsured claims

While uninsured motorists drive without any insurance coverage, underinsured motorists carry an inadequate amount of insurance coverage. This is often the case with repeat drunk driving offenders who have been denied affordable coverage by insurance companies due to their risky driving behavior. When these drivers cause car accidents, their insurance policies are not enough to cover the total cost of victim injuries.

The prevalence of these negligent motorists on the streets makes it vitally important for you to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage under your personal insurance policy. It is meant to provide compensation when an at-fault driver has no insurance or an inadequate amount of insurance.

It is also important to understand that usage of this coverage is partially governed by state law. Mississippi is a “stacking state,” where family members can stack individual UM/UIM coverage. For example, a family with four drivers and four vehicles carries uninsured motorist coverage in the amount of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. If one of the family’s drivers is injured by an uninsured driver, they can combine the individual coverage amounts for a total available coverage amount of $100,000 per person/$200.000 per accident. Tennessee and Arkansas also allow uninsured motorist coverage stacking.

Obtaining compensation for injuries caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers

You may assume that making an UM/UIM claim is simple, especially since you are seeking compensation from your own insurance company. However, these claims often become contentious. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they will employ numerous tactics to deny your claim or offer an inadequate amount of compensation.

With an aggressive accident attorney on your side, you can hold your insurance company to the terms of your policy. We advocate on your behalf for the payment of costs, including:

• Loss of income
• Medical costs
• Future medical costs
• Rehabilitation costs
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Trust more than three decades of experience with your uninsured motorist claim

When injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you deserve compensation from all responsible parties. With the reputable attorneys of Merkel & Cocke on your side, you can focus on healing, while we focus on pursuing your legal options. We provide client services from our home office in Clarksdale, where we represent injured parties throughout Mississippi, including Tupelo, Jackson, Cleveland, Indianola, and across the Gulf Coast region. We also handle UM/UIM cases occurring in Tennessee and Arkansas. Call us today at 662-627-9641 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.