What to Know About Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists in NC
When you find yourself involved in a car accident, it can be more than just inconvenient; it can be downright frustrating. Something that can help to ease the worry is the thought that the other driver has insurance in order to cover all of the costs of the accident. Unfortunately, this is not always the […]
When you find yourself involved in a car accident, it can be more than just inconvenient; it can be downright frustrating. Something that can help to ease the worry is the thought that the other driver has insurance in order to cover all of the costs of the accident. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, over 7% of motorists in North Carolina are driving without any insurance coverage at all. In an uninsured driver accident scenario, you may find yourself also responsible for the costs related to the accident. This means that everything from the damage caused to your vehicle, to possible injuries can become your responsibility.
According to the Insurance Journal, there has been a significant increase in the amount victims had to pay in order to cover the expenses related to accidents with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
North Carolina state law requires drivers to have the following minimum insurance:
- $30,000 for bodily injury coverage
- $60,000 for total bodily injury for all persons in an accident
- $25,000 for property damage liability
- Uninsured motorist coverage.
When you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, the bills for damage to your vehicle and injury to your person can quickly add up. Damages could easily exceed the mandatory minimum coverage required. But drivers can be proactive and supplement their insurance policies with underinsured policies.
North Carolina’s Department of Insurance defines uninsured motorist coverage as coverage that “will provide protection when an uninsured driver, who is at-fault, injures you or another covered individual. It also provides property damage coverage.” The Department defines Underinsured Motorist Coverage as that which offers “protection when an underinsured driver, who is at-fault, causes injury to a covered individual. An underinsured driver is one whose limits of liability are less than your UIM limits, and not enough to cover the losses of the people the underinsured driver injured.”
An Experienced North Carolina Car Accident Attorney Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to the negligence of another, the experienced Car Accident Attorneys at Daggett Shuler can help. Call us today at 336-724-1234 today!
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