Most people know that under their own auto insurance policy, they are protecting themselves and their assets in case they cause a collision and hurt somebody else. Because they are protecting themselves, they may carry sizable collision and comprehensive insurance, bodily injury coverage, plus liability coverage in case the insured driver causes an accident themselves.
However, it is also important under their own auto insurance policy that they carry uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage. These two very critical coverages can protect you and tackle a very common problem that drivers who have been involved in accidents face—that some people do not have enough, or even any, insurance to cover damages.
If you are dealing with an uninsured motorist in a Kenosha car accident case, a knowledgeable attorney can help you recover your losses from your own insurance company.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
UM coverage supports the insured driver in case the other person is unidentified or did not have car insurance. UIM coverage can be helpful when the other driver’s coverage is not enough to cover all the damages.
When Would Someone Need UM or UIM Coverage?
If a driver gets in a car accident, one of the first things they should do is ask for the other driver’s insurance information. If the accident was not their fault, the other driver’s insurance company will be liable for the damages and injuries. However, if the other driver does not have any insurance, or if they do not have enough coverage to sufficiently pay for the expenses of the crash, the individual may need to turn to their own insurance policy to cover the rest.
Unfortunately, people commonly do not have sufficient limits of liability for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and are forced to cover the expenses of their own damages that they had no part in. A driver may not think this kind of coverage is important. However, if they are hit by a driver who fled the scene of the accident or by someone who does not have enough coverage to pay for all of the damages, they will have to pay out of their own pocket for their losses, which can be very expensive.
Minimum Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Kenosha
Uninsured and underinsured coverage amounts are typically the same as their bodily injury limits. The most common limit is $100,000, although this amount is most likely insufficient to cover any major injury from an auto collision. If a plaintiff has to go to the hospital or have any sort of surgery or rehab, the costs are most likely going to exceed $100,000.
Not everyone in Kenosha can control the amount of UM coverage under their own policy, but at a minimum, drivers should have $250,000 for bodily injury and $250,000 for UM and UIM coverage. This is because lawyers typically see accidents where there are insufficient coverage limits.
For instance, if an injured person incurs $150,000 in medical expenses, and the adverse driver has only $100,000 in coverage, that is all that the plaintiff is going to be able to collect. Having their own coverage as back up can help them later on. If drivers can control their coverage limit, they should look at their policy, and make sure they have at least $250,000 in coverage limits. Remember, the more coverage, the better.
Get More Information about an Uninsured Motorist in a Kenosha Car Accident Case from an Attorney
If you have been involved in a car accident where the other person does not have insurance or left the scene without giving any information, you should not have to be liable for the costs that incur from your injuries and property damage. If you are experiencing trouble with an uninsured motorist in a Kenosha car accident case, consult the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. to recover your full range of compensation today.