Uninsured Motorist Accidents and You
Forty-nine out of fifty US States require car insurance. But like any law of the land, there will inevitably be those who, for one reason or another, do not believe that it applies to them. According to the Insurance Information Institute, as many as one in seven drivers on American roads are uninsured. This means that if you are involved in a collision with another motorist, there is a roughly fourteen percent chance that the other driver will be uninsured. Today’s Malloy Law Offices blog post will offer tips and instructions on navigating this regrettably common accident scenario. We will also seek to answer frequently asked questions surrounding uninsured motorist accidents, such as “will my rates go up?”
A Note on Uninsured Motorist Coverage
It’s a common truism that the best medicine is preventative. Vaccinations are less of a hassle than weeks spent recovering from diseases. A similar principle remains relevant in uninsured motorist accidents. The easiest and most expedient means of receiving financial compensation after a collision with an uninsured driver is to make sure your own insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage. As the name implies, this policy feature means your insurance company will pay for your and your passengers medical bills in the wake of a collision with an uninsured motorist.
Keep in mind, however, that this coverage will just be for medical expenses. You may wish to ask your insurance provider about “Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage” or something to that effect. This will make provisions for repairs and replacement of your vehicle after an accident. Collision insurance may also help pay for damages to your vehicle.
If You Do Not Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, your path to recovery will likely prove far more complex. Without any insurance providers involved, an expedient payment is unlikely. You can, of course, seek legal representation and pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. This may not be the best course of action for several reasons. The first is that this will take an extended period of time, leaving you paying out of pocket for vital medical intervention. The second is that the economics may not make sense. Oftentimes, drivers without insurance are simply unable to afford the payments on an insurance policy. This means that even if you are awarded a settlement, the other driver may be unable to pay.
As unfair as it may be, you may be stuck paying out of pocket. These unfortunate realities explain why car insurance is mandatory in most of the United States. People deserve compensation for these tragic accidents.
“Will My Rates Go Up?”
If you make an uninsured motorist claim, the short answer is yes. On average, you can expect a bump of roughly $100 per year. Most insurance companies will take this rate increase into account for three years after your accident. So an uninsured motorist claim will result in roughly $300 of expenses on average (though this is highly variable from state to state). While this may seem unfair, these small increases spread out over a long time span are far less dramatic than the rate hikes you may experience after an at-fault collision claim. Ultimately, if your accident was minor and can be repaired without insurance assistance, you may wish to pay out of pocket and avoid raising your rates.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a collision with an uninsured motorist, Malloy Law can help. Our legal team can boast of some of the DC area’s car accident specialists. Our experienced and diverse staff will pursue maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost property, and emotional trauma. Don’t face the aftermath of your accident alone, contact Malloy Law for a free consultation.
