Car accidents themselves are bad enough, and things get worse when your defendant’s vehicle is uninsured or underinsured. In America, an accident with an uninsured or under-insured driver can be a frightening and costly experience. About one in 10 drivers in the U.S. are hit by an uninsured driver every year. If you’re unlucky enough to become a victim of one of those accidents, then you essentially need to know how to deal with such a situation wisely. In some states, it is possible to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company for compensation to cover the costs incurred from the accident. In other states, the victim is left with the burden of proving that they have not been negligent and are entitled to compensation.
Luckily, the auto insurance policies in the state of Oregon carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages as well. However, the insurance companies always try to pay you the lowest compensation. Therefore, better not to settle the compensation offer without consulting a Salem Oregon personal injury lawyer.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of auto insurance that covers you if you are in an accident with someone who does not have car insurance. This type of coverage is significant when you are involved in an accident with someone else on the road without car insurance. If you’re involved in an accident, and the other driver doesn’t have liability insurance, it can be hard to get reimbursed for your damages or injuries. This is where uninsured motorist coverage comes into play. Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. It will cover your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage.
Uninsured motorist coverage comes for your rescue in the following situations:
- If the driver doesn’t have any liability insurance
- When the liability insurance of the driver isn’t enough to pay for your medical bills
- If the driver’s insurance company denies compensation or goes out of business abruptly
What Does Uninsured Motorists Coverage Pay for?
The uninsured motorists’ coverage pays for the following bills:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- The expense of a funeral, in case the victim died
- Car damage
- Compensation for pain and suffering
In the U.S., uninsured motorist coverage is not mandated by law and can be excluded from a standard policy. In fact, only 12 states have passed legislation requiring uninsured motorists coverage in their state.
