Underinsured Motorist Claim Lawyer Anne Arundel County, MD

You were driving on Route 50 near Annapolis when a driver merged into your lane without looking. The collision sent your car into the guardrail and left you with a back injury that required surgery. The other driver’s insurance policy only covered a fraction of your medical bills, and now you are facing tens of thousands of dollars in expenses. An underinsured motorist claim allows you to seek the compensation your own insurance policy should provide when the at-fault driver’s coverage falls short. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. helps injured people in Anne Arundel County pursue underinsured motorist benefits from their insurers. Reach our Maryland location at (888) 437-7747 to discuss what your policy may cover. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

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Legal Options After an Accident with an Underinsured Driver

When the driver who caused your crash carries liability insurance but the policy limits do not fully cover your damages, Maryland law gives you a path to recover additional compensation through your own automobile insurance policy—underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Every Maryland auto policy must offer UIM coverage in an amount at least equal to the liability coverage the policy provides. If you purchased higher limits, your UIM coverage extends to that level. The correct approach is to pursue the at-fault driver’s full policy, then present a UIM claim to your own carrier for the difference between your total damages and what you already recovered. Because Maryland follows pure contributory negligence—meaning a finding of even one percent fault on your part can bar all recovery—the way the accident facts are presented is critical. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. works with accident reconstruction attorneys and gathers the evidence necessary to build a clear picture of how the other driver caused the crash.

What to Expect When Pursuing an Underinsured Motorist Claim

After you notify your insurer that you intend to seek UIM benefits, the insurance company will investigate the claim much as it would investigate a third-party liability claim. The carrier reviews the police report, medical records, and wage-loss documentation, and may request a recorded statement from you. Before the carrier discusses settlement, it often asks for a written demand package that summarizes your injuries, treatment, and economic losses. If the two sides cannot agree on a value, the claim may proceed to arbitration or litigation in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, located at 251 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. The timeline depends on the complexity of your medical treatment and the insurer’s willingness to negotiate, but having experienced legal representation from the beginning helps ensure that critical documents are preserved and that the claim is presented in a persuasive manner.

Understanding Damages and Compensation

In a UIM claim, you may seek the same categories of damages that you could recover from the at-fault driver: medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Maryland does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases, so the recoverable amount is driven by the actual harm you sustained and the limits of the applicable insurance policies. Because Maryland is one of only a handful of jurisdictions that still use pure contributory negligence, the insurance company will look for any argument that you were partially at fault. For instance, if you were traveling slightly over the speed limit when the other driver ran a red light, the insurer might argue that your own speed contributed to the severity of the collision. An attorney who understands how these issues play out in Anne Arundel County courts can help you respond to those arguments and present the evidence that focuses on the other driver’s conduct.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has focused his practice on civil litigation and personal injury claims since establishing the firm in 1997. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work alongside Mr. Sris to analyze insurance policies, coordinate with medical providers, and build the documentation that supports a UIM claim. A personal injury claim may be handled collaboratively, with the collective knowledge of the team focused on reaching a resolution that accounts for your injuries and financial losses. To speak with Mr. Sris or a member of the firm about your Anne Arundel County accident, call (888) 437-7747.

Frequently Asked Questions About Underinsured Motorist Claims in Anne Arundel County

What is underinsured motorist coverage in Maryland?

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is a part of your own automobile insurance policy that pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are too low to cover your damages. Maryland law requires insurers to offer UIM coverage in an amount at least equal to the bodily injury liability limits you selected. If you purchased higher limits, those higher amounts apply. UIM coverage steps in after the at-fault driver’s policy has been exhausted, and it can compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your UIM policy limit.

How does the UIM claim process work after an accident in Anne Arundel County?

After notifying your insurer of the accident and your intent to make a UIM claim, you generally submit a demand package that outlines your injuries, medical treatment, and economic losses. The insurance company then evaluates the claim and may make a settlement offer. If an agreement cannot be reached, the claim may proceed to arbitration or litigation in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. Throughout the process, documentation—such as the police report, medical records, and proof of the at-fault driver’s policy limits—forms the foundation of your claim.

How long do I have to file an underinsured motorist claim in Maryland?

In Maryland, a claim for personal injury arising from a motor vehicle accident must generally be filed within three years of the date of the accident. This statute of limitations applies to UIM claims as well as claims against the at-fault driver. If a lawsuit is not filed within three years, the court may dismiss the case. Because the time needed to investigate and negotiate can take months, it is important to contact an attorney well before the deadline.

What damages can I recover in an underinsured motorist claim?

You can seek compensation for economic damages such as medical expenses, lost income, and rehabilitation costs, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering. The total recovery will be capped by your UIM policy limit. For example, if your damages exceed your UIM policy limit, the most your carrier will pay is the policy limit. An attorney can help document the full extent of your losses so that a demand for the policy limit is supported by the evidence.

How does Maryland’s contributory negligence rule affect my UIM claim?

Maryland applies a pure contributory negligence standard, meaning that if you are found to be even one percent at fault for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation. This makes UIM claims particularly sensitive to how the facts are presented. Insurance companies often argue that the injured person was partially responsible. An experienced attorney gathers evidence such as vehicle damage photos, witness statements, and traffic-camera footage to minimize the chance that a contributory-negligence defense will bar your recovery.

If you were injured by a driver with insufficient insurance in Anne Arundel County, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys can review your policy and advise on the trusted course of action.

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E Montgomery Ave, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850
(888) 437-7747

By appointment only. Call to schedule.

Official primary sources:
Maryland District Court — Anne Arundel County |
Maryland Code

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