An Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment (UCJ) is a claim for compensation made against the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF). UCJ claims are extremely complex because the MAIF does not make it easy for accident victims to recover compensation for injuries. Many lawyers shy away from MAIF-UCJ claims because there are so many rules and hoops that an accident victim must jump through to have the claim considered. In most cases, a lawsuit must be filed to obtain the compensation that the accident victim is entitled to receive by law.

The Maryland car accident attorneys of Pinder Plotkin have experience filing MAIF-UCJ claims. We understand the rules and deadlines required to file a claim. In addition, we understand what you are up against when you file a UCJ claim with the MAIF.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and there appears to be no insurance coverage for your claim, contact our office for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation from the MAIF for a UCJ claim.

Why Would I File UCJ Claim?

The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) provides insurance to drivers in Maryland who cannot obtain insurance through private insurance companies. MAIF also provides basic insurance coverage for accident victims when there is no insurance coverage available. When someone files an insurance claim with MAIF because no other insurance coverage is available, the claim is referred to as an Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment (UCJ).

There are three basic situations in which an accident victim can file a UCJ claim:

  • The accident was caused by a hit and run driver who is never identified;
  • The driver is uninsured or is excluded from the insurance policy for the vehicle; or,
  • The driver is an out-of-state driver whose car insurance coverage is lower than the insurance coverage offered by MAIF.

It is important to note that MAIF will not pay claims if the accident victim had uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance coverage for the claim.

Important Information about UCJ Claims

As we stated above, filing a UCJ claim can be difficult. The MAIF has extremely strict rules and guidelines for filing UCJ claims. If you miss a deadline by one day, fail to include all required documents with the claim, or make any mistake during the claims process, the MAIF will likely deny your UCJ claim.

Some of the important things to keep in mind about filing a UCJ claim include:

Amount of Coverage

UCJ claims through MAIF are limited to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.

Deadlines for Filing Notices

You are under a firm 180-day deadline to file your UCJ claim with the MAIF. However, there may be other deadlines that are applicable in your case, such as the 30-day deadline to file a notice of a liability carrier’s notice of disclaimer.  Therefore, you want to work with a Maryland car accident attorney who has experience filing UCJ claims.

Required Documentation

When you file your UCJ claim, you must include all required documentation for the claim to be considered.

A UCJ should include the following documentation, if applicable:

  • A completed MAIF Notice of Claim Form signed by the accident victim.
  • A description of the motor vehicle accident, including the location, date, & time of the accident; the vehicles involved in the accident; and, the names and addresses of the witnesses.
  • A copy of the police report or accident report
  • Copies of all medical records and medical bills as of the date you file the claim
  • Documentation and proof of property damage
  • Lost wage certification
  • Motor Vehicle Administration records
  • Any insurance company disclaimers or cancellations
  • Recorded statement

Filing a Lawsuit When MAIF Declines a UCJ Claim

As we discussed above, you may need to file a lawsuit if the MAIF refuses to pay or settle your claim. If the driver is known, you can file the lawsuit against the driver, but place MAIF on notice of the lawsuit so that it becomes involved in the lawsuit. If the at-fault driver is unknown, as in the case of a hit-and-run accident, you may file the lawsuit against the MAIF directly.

You Must Act Quickly to File a UCJ Claim!

You only have 180 days to gather information, complete the forms, and file the UCJ claim with the MAIF. If you miss the deadline, your claim is denied. You do not have any time to waste if you need to file a UCJ claim. Even if you are unsure whether you have a UCJ claim, it is best to consult with an attorney as quickly as possible because of the deadline.

Contact Pinder Plotkin LLC at 410-525-5337 to discuss filing a UCJ claim. Schedule your free consultation today with a Parkville car accident attorney to avoid missing the deadline to file a UCJ claim.

 

 

The information provided in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject. The information contained in this blog is also subject to change and should not be relied upon. Contact the Pinder Plotkin Legal Team for a FREE consultation.

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