Being involved in a car accident is stressful enough. But what happens when the at-fault driver does not have insurance? You might be surprised to learn that you may still have options to recover compensation for your injuries and damage to your vehicle. In this article we will be breaking down how a car accident claim can function involving uninsured drivers, as well as the importance of Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
The Uninsured Motorist Maze
Utah operates as a no-fault state, this means that regardless of who is at fault for the accident you can use your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to help cover the initial medical expenses after an accident. However, PIP coverage has limits, and it will not cover your property damage from the accident or further pain and suffering. PIP can only cover so much, and this is where Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist coverage comes into play:
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage:
This insurance coverage will kick in if the at-fault driver of the accident has no insurance at all. This coverage is created to help you pay for medical bills, lost wages, and any damage received to your car up to your policy limits. This coverage is created so you do not have to suffer the consequences of a negligent driver without insurance.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage:
This coverage is different from UM coverage as it is used when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy is too low to cover your losses. UIM coverage acts as a bridge to pay the difference between the at-fault driver’s policy limits as well as your UIM limits if your accident is severe enough.
Why UM/UIM Coverage is Crucial
While UM/UIM coverage may seem like an optional add-on to your insurance, this coverage acts as a vital shield against financial hardships that have arisen after an accident caused by an uninsured driver. Here is why:
- Uninsured Drivers are More Common Than You Think: Statistics show a significant number of drivers travel without insurance, in fact according to recent studies 1 in 8 motorists do not have any sort of auto insurance. Having UM/UIM coverage protects you from the financial burden that they create.
- Medical Bills Can Quickly Spiral: Accident-related medical expenses can be extremely costly and the costs are astronomical. UM/UIM coverage aims to alleviate the stress and the burdens that mounting medical bills can cause, allowing you to fully focus on your recovery.
- Peace of Mind: Perhaps the most important aspect of UM/UIM coverage is the knowledge that you will always be covered in the result of an accident, regardless of the other driver’s insurance status.
Protect Yourself on the Road
While Underinsured Motorist coverage and Uninsured Motorist coverage may seem like the answer to all of your worries it is important to remember how an insurance company operates and makes their money. While an insurance company will offer you this coverage they may give you trouble when trying to get a settlement through a UM/UIM claim. Insurers make money through investing and pooling the money they receive from their customers’ monthly premiums. This means that the less that they have to pay out for your injuries, the more money that they can make. This is why hiring a Utah car accident lawyer is crucial for your case.
At LifeLaw Personal Injury our team of skilled car accident lawyers will help you through the legal process and navigate any complex issues that arise when pursuing a UM/UIM claim. Our personal injury lawyers will fight for you and fret over every small detail so that you can focus on what is really important, your recovery. If you or someone you know has been injured and do not know what to do next, contact LifeLaw Personal Injury for a free consultation and to discuss your options further.