Car accidents are obviously not planned, they happen with the blink of an eye. You could be headed to work, to pick up your kid from school, a road trip, etc. when you are either hit by a car or hit someone’s car. Accidents happen all the time, which is why it is important to have car insurance. It is even more important to have uninsured and underinsured motorists’ coverage for when the other driver does not have enough car insurance to pay for the damages. Imagine being in a car accident where your car was totaled, and the at-fault driver only carries the minimum amount of liability coverage, you are going to want underinsured motorist coverage.
This extra insurance is not required in Kentucky, but drivers can benefit from it. Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is a three-part insurance coverage known as “uninsured motorist” (UM). Findlaw.com list them as:
Underinsured motorist insurance (UIM)
- When you have car accident insurance, and it is the other driver’s fault.
- At-fault driver does have car insurance, but policy limits aren’t enough to pay for all the damages.
- You can try to sue a personal injury lawsuit but if the at-fault driver doesn’t have assets from which your damages award would come from, you will not have anything to collect.
- Helps prevent the defect by providing compensation to you.
Uninsured motorist insurance (UMI)
- Coverage that protects yourself from damages caused by other drivers who do not carry car insurance at all.
- Specific damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.
Uninsured motorist property damage insurance (UMPD)
- This coverage is for property damage as a result of a car accident with an uninsured motorist.
- This is for car repairs or personal property inside your vehicle under some policies.
- Applies to underinsured drivers as well.
Purchasing some form of UIM coverage will be very beneficial if you are in an accident with someone who is underinsured or uninsured. It will help you obtain and pay for all damages that resulted from the accident. Another important yet difficult aspect of car accidents and insurance is how to decide who is at fault in the accident. You must proclaim who is at fault before insurance claims are brought forth. Findlaw.com describes the four basic levels of “fault”:
- Negligence: carelessness that results in harm or danger.
- Recklessness: disregard for the safety and welfare of others.
- Intentional misconduct
- Strict liability: may be imposed, in the absence of fault, for accidents involving certain defective product.
If you believe that you are at-fault or not in a car accident and are not sure what to do, call us at 502-414-8302 and have your case reviewed by one of the Dixie Law Group‘s experienced attorneys. Your first consultation will be 100% free of cost.
