Hit by an Uninsured Motorist…. What Now?
- Can my insurance company help me?
- Do I need a lawyer?
- Statistics
Do I need a Lawyer?
You should not need to involve an attorney for simple clear-cut claim situations. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you determine if you do need an attorney.
- How much is at stake?
- Is it a fender bender with no medical bills or something more?
- Medical bills?
- Disabilities?
- Did the car get totaled?
- Have you missed work due to the accident?
- Is it a fender bender with no medical bills or something more?
- Is the insurance company doing the right thing?
- Do you consider their offer unreasonable?
- Is the insurance company “dragging their feet?”
- Do you believe the claim falsely declined?
- Is there a discrepancy regarding the facts of the accident?
- Who are all parties involved?
- Other driver
- Passengers(both your vehicle and their vehicle)
Statistics
Did you know that there are on average, 12.9% of drivers on the road today that are not currently covered under an active insurance policy? That means 1 in every seven drivers are uninsured.
The other guy was at fault in the accident – but he has no insurance!
Additionally, about the same percentage (12.5%) of accidents are caused by an uninsured motorist. This means that if another driver hits you, there is also a 1 in 7 chance that they do not have an active insurance policy.
Worst states for uninsured motorist
Beware Over 20% uninsured
- Oklahoma
- Florida
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- Michigan
- Tennessee
Between 15.5 and 20%
- Alabama
- Rhode Island
- Colorado
- Washington
- Arkansas
Which states are on the right track?
States between 6 and 8%
- Pennsylvania
- Nebraska
- Idaho
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
The following States are doing the best with an uninsured motorist. The under 6% group.
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- New York
- Utah
- North Dakota.
Why would someone drive without insurance?
The top four reasons people cite for having no insurance are:
1) The vehicle is not in good operating condition
2) I just can’t simply afford to buy insurance
3) The insurance rates are too high
4) The vehicle runs, but I barely use my car
Typically, who are these people who are driving uninsured?
Guys, I hate to say it, but 62% of uninsured drivers are typically male. Most are between the ages of 18-24 (22%), and usually, do not have any additional education beyond high school (45%).
What can I do to protect myself?
In most states, insurance companies offer “Uninsured Motorist Protection.” This is coverage that helps protect you, in the event another driver strikes you, they are at fault, and you come to find out they do not have insurance.
What does Uninsured Motorist Protection Cover?
There are two portions of uninsured motorist coverage. The first is “Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Protection.” This helps protect you and your passengers for bodily injury caused to you by the other driver who was at fault in the accident. The coverage limit is at least the state minimum, but can also be increased if you carry liability limits that are higher than the state minimum.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Protection
The second portion is for property damage caused to your vehicle. This will typically have a small deductible associated with it, but then at least you can get your car fixed. You must have the uninsured motorist bodily injury protection on the policy before you can add this valuable coverage.
What if my vehicle is involved in a “Hit and Run?”
A “hit and run” scenario is the same as an uninsured motorist. This is because the insurance carrier does not have any idea on who to go after for the damages they may have caused you. Therefore, Hit and Run accidents are treated as an uninsured motorist event.
Last Updated on by Alexis Karapiperis