After a car accident, you may expect the at-fault driver’s insurance to cover your injuries and losses. But what happens when that driver has only the minimum insurance required, or no insurance at all?
For someone dealing with a serious injury, limited insurance coverage can become a major problem. Medical treatment, time away from work, rehabilitation, and other expenses can add up quickly. If the other driver’s policy does not provide enough coverage, you may need to look elsewhere for compensation. Fortunately, your own auto insurance policy may provide an additional layer of protection.
When the Other Driver’s Insurance Falls Short
New York requires drivers to carry minimum levels of auto insurance, but those minimums may not come close to covering the cost of a serious accident.
This is where Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage can become important. UM coverage generally applies when the person responsible for the accident has no applicable insurance. UIM coverage may provide additional protection when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to fully compensate you for your injuries.
For example, imagine you are seriously injured in a crash and the at-fault driver has only $25,000 in applicable liability coverage. Your losses may be worth significantly more than that. Depending on your own policy and the circumstances of the accident, underinsured motorist coverage could provide another potential source of recovery after the other driver’s available coverage is exhausted.
This is one reason it is important to understand your policy limits before an accident happens, not after.
Your Own Policy May Be More Important Than You Realize
Many people choose auto insurance based primarily on the monthly premium and rarely revisit their coverage. But UM and UIM limits can make a significant difference when another driver cannot adequately compensate you.
Higher coverage limits can provide greater protection for accidents involving serious injuries, surgeries, lengthy recovery periods, lost income, or lasting limitations. Depending on the policy, this protection may also extend beyond accidents that happen while you are behind the wheel, including certain situations where you are injured as a passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
After an accident, it is also important not to assume you know exactly what coverage is available. Multiple insurance policies or sources of coverage may potentially apply. An attorney can investigate the accident, review the relevant policies, and determine what options may exist for pursuing compensation.
Protecting Yourself After an Accident on Long Island
Finding out that the driver who injured you does not have enough insurance can be frustrating, but it does not necessarily mean you are out of options. The key is understanding what coverage is available and taking the right steps to protect your claim.
It is also worth reviewing your own auto insurance policy before an accident happens. Knowing your uninsured and underinsured motorist limits (and considering whether they provide enough protection for you and your family) can prevent an unpleasant surprise later.
The team at The North Shore Injury Lawyer is here to help. Attorney Mark T. Freeley has more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and families across Nassau and Suffolk Counties understand their options after serious accidents.
The team also offers free, no-obligation reviews of your car insurance policy to help you better understand your existing protection and potential gaps. If you have been injured or simply want to make sure you have the right coverage in place, call 631-495-9435 today. A simple review now could make an important difference later.