https://www.medlegal360.com/uninsured-motorists/
Have you been in a traumatic accident? Are you in financial
trouble as a result of skyrocketing medical costs? To relieve yourself of the
financial damages incurred from the accident, file a personal injury lawsuit.
But what happens if the defendant is an uninsured driver? Can you receive the
recompense you seek? Read on to find out the answers to all of your questions.
Uninsured
motorists are those who do not have liability insurance to protect victims
in the event of a collision or damage to others. According to 2019 data, one
out of every eight drivers in the United States does not have auto insurance.
The data chart shows that the number of uninsured motorists in Mississippi is
high.
What happens if the defendant is an uninsured motorist?
When an uninsured motorist causes an accident, the
plaintiff's uninsured motorist policy pays for the resulting financial losses.
People who have car liability insurance must pay more because of uninsured
motorists. When compared to the previous decade, uninsured motorist claims
increased by 75% in 2012.
To comprehend the gravity of the situation, we must first
understand the services provided by car insurance policies, such as uninsured
motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage pays for the damages incurred by
policyholders in collisions with uninsured motorists. Simply put, if the
defendant is uninsured, your uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your
medical bills, pain
and suffering, lost wages, and funeral expenses. It includes four coverages
such as uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM or UMBI), uninsured motorist
property damage (UMPD), uninsured motorist bodily injury (UIM or UIMBI), and
uninsured motorist property damage (UIM or UIMBI) (UIMPD).
When the at-fault driver's liability limits are less than
your claim, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage comes to your aid. The
defendant's policy will cover your damages up to the limits of his policy. Your
underinsured motorist coverage will pay for the remaining damages.
Hit-and-run and uninsured motorist coverage
When the defendant flees the scene without stopping to share
his insurance and personal information to the victim or to check on the victim,
it is known as a
hit-and-run accident. When the defendant is unknown in an accident, you
cannot sue anyone to cover your damages. In such instances, the uninsured
motorist policy will kick in. if your damages come under the policy limits you
have, it will be covered. Otherwise, you can sue them for the rest of the
damages.
Penalties given for the uninsured motorists
Uninsured motorists face fines, imprisonment, and the loss
of their registration and license. Uninsured drivers will be given three
chances, and if they continue to be uninsured, they will face additional fines,
imprisonment, and other penalties. When an uninsured driver applies for auto
insurance, he must pay a higher premium because he is classified as a high-risk
driver. On the other hand, uninsured driving is not a crime in some states,
such as Virginia.
If an uninsured driver causes harm to others in a car
accident, they face harsher penalties, SR-22 requirements, and longer
prison sentences. If the victim does not have uninsured motorist coverage to
cover his damages, the uninsured at-fault driver is responsible for all of the
victim's damages. The plaintiff can sue the defendant for personal injury,
which will cost him thousands of dollars.
Conclusion
Insurance companies offer user-friendly insurance policies
and premiums to reduce the number of uninsured drivers. Good drivers who have a
clean driving record and pay their premiums on time will be given discounts.
Some people may be given policies with insufficient coverage. It is preferable
to have a low-cost policy than face legal consequences as an uninsured driver.
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