Most Austin area drivers will be in at least one car accident during their driving career. Although these accidents are not planned, they can cause serious injuries for car accident victims. Usually, the insurance company of the at-fault driver will take care of medical expenses, property damage, etc. but what happens if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance?
Uninsured motorist coverage is an additional policy that drivers can purchase and covers them in the event that they are struck by another motorist who does not carry insurance. This coverage may also be used if the driver is a victim in a hit-and-run. If one party drives away after an accident, uninsured motorist coverage can still cover damages of the motorist.
There are different types of uninsured motorist coverage. Some only cover physical injuries sustained in a crash which is called uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. To cover vehicle damage a person would need to add uninsured motorist property damage coverage which will cover the car and other property that may be damaged.
Although auto insurance is required by law, many people still choose not to get it. Uninsured motorist coverage is not required by law but can be a good idea to protect a motorist from someone who is uninsured. A legal professional who is skilled in insurance can help a victim of a car accident who was involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. They can figure out options for their client including:
- Filing an insurance claim against their own policy
- Suing the other party for personal assets
An attorney understands that their client may be facing thousands of dollars in unexpected medical care, lost wages, damages to personal property, etc. and will work hard to make sure their client’s legal rights are protected.
