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Why Drivers Need Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, it’s important to know how to proceed with your insurance company. Adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your policy can compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For more information on how to receive full compensation for an auto collision, we recommend you consult with an auto collision attorney.

What is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?

Although it is illegal to drive without car insurance, this doesn’t prevent thousand of drivers from doing so every day. In fact, a study from the Insurance Research Council estimated approximately 1 in 5 Michigan drivers didn’t have insurance in 2012. Since you have to share the road with people who are uninsured or underinsured, we recommend you take the proper precautions to protect yourself in the event of an accident.

If another driver is at fault for the car accident, you obviously won’t be able to file a claim with their insurance company if they lack insurance. In a scenario where you had uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you would be able to file a claim with your own insurance company for damages. If the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to fully compensate you (underinsured), your UM/UIM insurance would contribute the remaining balance up to your policy’s limit.

UM/UIM insurance can prevent you from having to pay out of pocket for medical bills and can also compensate you for lost wages and emotional trauma. If uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) insurance is available in your state, this can compensate you for damage to your car.

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What is “no fault” insurance?

Michigan is a “no fault” state for car accidents. This means that you are entitled to compensation from your insurance company regardless of whether or not you’re found at fault for the car accident. All Michigan drivers are required to have “no fault” insurance, which covers medical expenses, wage loss benefits, replacement services, and damage to other people’s property (doesn’t include cars). A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will be able to keep you up to date on any coverage limits for your state.

While no-fault laws can be helpful to Michigan drivers, most people feel more at ease with the added protection of UM/UIM insurance. Insurance for uninsured or underinsured drivers provides compensation for bodily injuries, lost wages, and emotional trauma, which is beneficial in the event of a serious auto accident.

Can’t I just sue the at-fault driver for compensation?

While you can always choose to sue someone for serious injuries or death, you most likely won’t get any money. People who are unable to pay for car insurance are most likely unable to pay for personal injury settlements. Also, the Michigan “no fault” law protects drivers from being sued except in very specific circumstances, which include death, disfigurement, and serious injury. An experienced car accident attorney can help you determine if a lawsuit is appropriate for your unique situation.

Is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage required in Michigan?

No, you are not required to add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your policy if you live in the state of Michigan. However, this doesn’t change the fact that 21% of Michigan drivers were uninsured in 2012. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you will end up paying for car repairs out of pocket if you don’t have UMPD insurance.

If you are interested in hiring one of our Michigan auto accident attorneys, please feel free to give us a call our Rochester Hills personal injury attorney at (855) 558-8250 for your free consultation. The experienced auto collision lawyers at Hakim, Toma, & Yaldoo, P.C. fight aggressively for the rights of their clients so they can receive the compensation they deserve.

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