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What if the at-fault driver who hit you doesn’t have enough insurance?

On Behalf of | Apr 3, 2017 | Car Accidents

If you’ve ever driven on Turner Turnpike or some other heavily traveled stretch of Oklahoma road, you understand what it’s like to have cars zipping past you at high rates of speed. Such areas are often prone to serious accidents, and many times driver negligence plays a leading role. This happens despite the fact that all motorists have an obligation to remain alert and adhere to all traffic regulations to keep themselves and others as safe as possible.

By their nature, motor vehicle accidents occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Just before impact, there may be a couple of seconds when you see the inevitable coming, but you can’t prevent it. If a speeding car smashes into your vehicle, your life could change forever if you or one of your passengers suffers serious injuries.

What uninsured motorist insurance does

It’s bad enough that you suffered an injury in an entirely preventable collision due to someone’s negligent behavior behind the wheel; but then you learn that the driver who hit you doesn’t carry adequate automobile insurance to cover the costs. This is where uninsured motorist insurance comes in handy. If you’re not familiar with the term, the basics of this coverage include the following:

  • Uninsured motorist coverage helps you recover your losses when the liability coverage of the person who hit you isn’t enough to cover your damages.
  • Several years ago, statistics showed at least one in eight drivers failed to have enough insurance (were underinsured).
  • If you don’t carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, any expenses not met by the at-fault driver’s insurance become your debt.
  • One type of uninsured/underinsured coverage pertains to personal injury, medical expenses, lost wages, etc., while the other covers costs related to vehicle damage.

You’d be surprised by how many Oklahoma drivers don’t know exactly what type of coverage they have on their vehicles. It’s a good idea, though, to do your research to make sure you understand exactly what is covered (and what is not covered) by your auto insurance policy.

Without adequate insurance coverage, you could incur significant financial losses after a crash. It might be tempting to accept a settlement from the insurance company, just to put the matter behind you, but that could end up costing you more in the future.

If you have questions about these matters, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer can negotiate with insurers and help you get the maximum available compensation. If the other driver didn’t have insurance, a personal injury attorney can help you explore every available option for obtaining the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages and costs resulting from the accident.

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