Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC HomepageCavanaugh & Thickens, LLC

Get a Free Case Evaluation

Call For A Free Case Evaluation

Phone Icon(803) 888-2200

Available 24/7

CALL US NOW

Underinsured Motorist Claim Lawyer in Columbia, SC

Unexpected accidents often result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, property damage, emotional trauma, and other physical, financial, and emotional damages. The stress following an accident is heightened when you realize that the at-fault party does not have enough insurance to cover your damages. 

When an underinsured driver hits you, the Columbia car accident lawyers at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC are here to help. With millions of dollars in compensation recovered for injured clients in many forms of accidents across SC, hundreds of 5-star reviews, and decades of combined experience, you can trust our team will have your back. 

Speak with a reputable Columbia underinsured accident attorney today to learn what you may be entitled to under South Carolina law. Call our office at (803) 888-2200 or complete our online contact form and a member of our team will be in touch shortly. We’re here to fight to get you the best outcome possible for your case and future, and we look forward to speaking with you.

What Is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage?

In South Carolina, there are three major categories of an auto insurance policy: 

  • Liability insurance for bodily injury;
  • Liability insurance for property damage; and 
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Unlike uninsured motorist coverage which is required by law, underinsured motorist coverage is an optional add-on that covers costs if the at-fault party is underinsured. This means that they do not have enough insurance coverage to pay for your damages, such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, property damage, lost wages, etc.

Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) comes in when the at-fault driver’s policy is insufficient to compensate you for your loss. South Carolina law requires that every auto insurance policy sold has a meaningful offer of UIM as part of the policy. This insurance protects yourself, passengers, and family in the event that you’re hit by a driver who does not have enough coverage to pay for your injuries.

How the Car Accident Attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC Help With Underinsured Motorist Claims

Following a traumatic car accident, you should not have to focus on identifying insurance policies, your stacking options, handling negotiations, and the other legal intricacies that follow car wrecks. Instead, focus on healing while your legal team puts our experience to work for you.

With Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC on your side, you can expect our team to:

  • Thoroughly investigate the accident, proving fault and negligence pursuant to SC law
  • Identify all forms of compensation available to cover your damages
  • Optimize and file your underinsured motorist claim
  • Value all past, present, and future damages, fighting to get you the entirety of what you deserve
  • Discover and preserve critical evidence
  • Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies
  • File a lawsuit and fight for you in court when necessary
  • Keep you updated on the status of your case, and more.

Our law firm’s core values are “Client Focused and Results Driven.” This means that you and your goals for the case will always be our top priority. To learn more or to discuss your potential case directly with an award-winning car accident attorney, simply reach out to our team today. We’re available via phone 24/7 at (803) 888-2200.

What Are The Insurance Requirements for Columbia, SC Drivers?

Car insurance policy with red car toy and blur image of a man's hand. Vehicle insurance policy concept.

In South Carolina, the law requires motorists to carry a minimum of $25,000 in coverage per person for bodily injury, $50,000 for all person(s) injured in an accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. This is commonly referred to as a 25/50/25 policy. 

Costly damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and other damages can quickly rack up when you are involved in a serious accident.  When that happens, an experienced UIM lawyer can help you identify additional forms of insurance available and fight to get you the entirety of what you deserve.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Underinsured Motorist Claims in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule which can reduce the amount of time you have to file. For example, if a government entity was involved in the accident.

It’s important to keep in mind that although you may have a few years to file, there are many benefits for acting quickly. For example, your attorney will have the opportunity to preserve critical evidence, get fresh witness testimony, and much more. To learn more and to protect your rights after an accident that was not your fault, contact an experienced car accident attorney today.

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for an Underinsured Motorist Claim in Columbia, SC?

If you have underinsured motorist coverage and are facing expensive damages following a car accident, we always recommend at least speaking to a lawyer to get your questions answered and learn more about what to expect moving forward.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen firsthand that insurance companies will often contest, challenge, lowball and even deny payouts to their insured. Having an attorney on your side who has the experience needed to fight for you and your best interests is very beneficial when it comes to negotiations and ensuring you’re not being tricked or taken advantage of.

Underinsured vs Uninsured Motorist Claims

Uninsured motorist coverage is required under South Carolina law for all drivers and protects you if you are hit by an uninsured driver. While illegal, approximately 10.3% of South Carolina drivers in 2023 were uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute. 

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a UIM Accident Attorney at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC Today

You’re not alone following a car accident. Our team is here to help guide you through the process so you can focus on healing. For a free case evaluation directly with a reputable Columbia underinsured motorist claims attorney, simply call our office at (803) 888-2200. We’re here and ready to help.

Other Car Accident Cases We Handle

Additional Car Accident Resources