One in Seven Americans Drive Illegally! Is Liability Insurance really helping you in Tucson, AZ?
One in 7 Americans (about 15%) does not have Auto Insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council. Almost all basic insurance packages will not cover a crash with these illegal drivers. This leaves the policyholder to pay for the full cost of a crash, regardless of who is at fault. Here at Karnas Law Firm, we advocate the use of Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage gives Arizona drivers peace of mind knowing they are covered in the event of a collision with an uninsured driver.
What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay For?
An UM policy covers medical expenses, pain, suffering, and loss of wages. Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) coverage can come in either a split limit policy or a combined single limit policy.
Split limit, the most common form of UM coverage, means coverage limits change based on the number of people injured. For example, a split limit policy will cover $15,000 for bodily injury or death when one person is injured. When more than one is injured in a crash, coverage goes up to a total of $30,000 per accident.
Combined single limit policies will pay up to a set amount for all bodily injury in a single accident. This means if your insurance policy covers $30,000 then all the injuries are covered under this amount.
What Does Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Cover?
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) is an additional policy on your insurance. UMPD is not offered at all providers but is worth purchasing. It can cover property damage to your personal property (car, house, fence, and personal items in the vehicle at the time of the collision, etc.). If you make a claim of this type, you will be cut a check for damages. The insurance company can pursue legal action against the negligent driver to recover their damages. However, it must be noted that making a UMPD claim can make you a third party to your own insurance. This can put you in opposition to your own insurance company.
Is Additional UM Coverage Expensive?
Both UMBI and UMPD coverage plans buy Arizona drivers peace of mind knowing they’re financially protected from an accident with an uninsured driver. UM coverage is a relatively small fee comparatively speaking (an additional cost of 5-8% of your total bill). This protects you from having to dig money out of your own pocket because you were a victim in a collision with an illegal driver.
Why do You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Generally, you need this uninsured motorist coverage if:
- You own an expensive vehicle that would be costly to repair or replace
- The minimum liability coverage in your state is unusually low
- You don’t want to risk being hit by an uninsured motorist
If you are not sure whether this insurance is ideal for your situation, consult with a Tucson Car Accident Attorney.
How Can You Submit an Uninsured Motorist Claim?
Filing an uninsured motorist claim differs from filing a regular auto insurance claim. Where you would collect the insurance information of an at-fault driver in a typical car accident, you may need to skip this step with an uninsured motorist.
After an accident with an uninsured driver, call the police immediately and inform them that the other driver does not have insurance.
Then, gather as much evidence as you can, including photos of the damage and injuries. You can also collect the contact information of potential witnesses.
Next, notify your insurance company and call a Tucson Car Accident Attorney. Make sure to explain your situation to your attorney in detail.
Finally, keep all your medical and vehicle repair records for your case. You can also ask for the accident police report.
Health Insurance Vs. Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Health insurance coverage pays for medical treatment and rehabilitation after an auto accident. However, if your personal injury claim is successful, your health insurer may demand a portion of the compensation amount. This is the case even if your claim does not cover your out-of-pocket expenses.
On the other hand, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage covers all out-of-pocket medical expenses. This is so, even if the at-fault driver is unable to pay.
Get the Advice You Need from an Arizona Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve suffered from a car accident, you don’t need to go through the aftermath of that accident alone. Reach out to our proven and trusted car accident attorneys today.
The car accident lawyers at Karnas Law Firm are here to help you recover the maximum amount available for all associated damages. With more than 25 years of experience representing injured accident victims in Arizona, we understand the stress of being injured as a result of a third party’s negligence. Our team can lift the burden of settling a personal injury claim from your shoulders and relentlessly fight for fair compensation.
Our attorneys are known as some of the top lawyers in the business and have received accolades such as Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. We are also Lead Counsel rated.
If you’re injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, call us anytime. We are available in Tucson at (520) 338-1641 or at our Yuma location at (928) 550-8020. You can also email Olivia Gaxiola at ogaxiola@karnaslaw.com to set up an appointment.
To get started on your case, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We look forward to talking to you soon.