When it becomes apparent that the insurance coverage in a car accident will be insufficient to cover a victim’s losses, an attorney can look into other options to pursue compensation. It often takes some investigation into the accident and parties involved to discover all available avenues for compensating your losses due to injury and other damages. You may have additional options. The only way to know which options can help you recover the remainder of your losses when your damages exceed the policy coverage is to speak with a lawyer. Filing an Underinsured Motorist Claim In some states, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is a requirement. Still, in many states, it is optional coverage meant to protect a victim if they are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage to meet your losses. Underinsured motorist coverage is a policy that would cover you. However, as the insured, that does not mean the compensation from the insurance company is a guarantee. Underinsured motorist insurance carriers can still give you a hard time seeking the maximum damages available in your case. Your lawyer can file an underinsured motorist claim and seek the remaining damages available under the law, not payable under the other vehicle liability insurance relating to the car accident. Discovering Whether Another Party Could Be Liable Car accidents can reveal complicated scenarios with differing relationships between an at fault driver and others that may be liable. For example, if you suffer damages in a car accident with a commercial vehicle driver, their employer may also be liable for your losses. Additionally, rideshare drivers and others using vehicles owned by another party could present alternative options to you seeking compensation. It is also not uncommon for accidents involving multiple parties to have multiple drivers that share fault for the events leading to the accident. If another negligent driver has available insurance coverage, your attorney can help you pursue a claim through them. Ultimately, a car accident attorney will look at everyone involved in the car accident and whether any additional parties could be responsible for the accident and your subsequent injuries. An attorney working for you can take the action necessary to protect your rights against all parties potentially liable to you. Filing a Lawsuit When a victim exhausts all possible avenues for an insurance claim for compensation, and there is still not enough money to cover the extent of the damages, a lawsuit may be appropriate. Although most car accident claims end in a settlement through negotiations with an insurer, there are instances where it is not possible to seek the damages you are eligible for under the law through only an insurance claim. With the help and guidance of a motor vehicle accident attorney, a victim can determine whether a lawsuit is possible to seek the additional damages sustained from the accident. The law clearly states that a negligent party is personally liable for their negligence and actions leading to a victim’s harm. However, even when a lawyer may know a victim has a strong case against a liable party for damages, they must consider the likelihood of payment of those damages. If a defendant is clearly in a position where they are unable to pay for your losses, then a lawsuit may not be a viable option. However, if your attorney determines that the at fault driver or another party responsible likely has the means to pay your damages, they may recommend filing a legal action in court to seek the damages not covered through the insurance claim.