When car crashes occur, they can cause life-altering expenses. Replacing or repairing a vehicle can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Injuries and the lost wages they produce can cost even more. Many working-class and middle-class motorists do not have enough money in savings to cover the cost of a crash if they are at fault for a wreck.
The state mandates insurance coverage to help ensure that when someone causes a collision, there is compensation available for the people affected. Unfortunately, not everyone has the insurance that they should. Some people cancel their policies after registering their vehicles. Others might forget to make payments and have their policies terminated.
Uninsured drivers are a major concern
There are quite a few people on the roads who don’t have the coverage required by law. According to claims data from 2022, South Carolina falls right in the middle of the nation with the 25th-highest rate of uninsured drivers. Approximately 12.3% of drivers are on the road without coverage. If one of those motorists causes a crash, the other people involved have two options.
The first is to use their own policies. If drivers have purchased supplemental uninsured motorist coverage, they can use that to protect themselves. Unfortunately, given that uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory, many people may lack this option after a collision.
However, they may still have the option of taking legal action against the uninsured motorist. A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit can help cover vehicle repair costs and medical expenses. People can also make claims for lost wages and other losses.
People may have similar options if they experience a crash with an underinsured driver. Many people only carry the coverage that the state requires, and their policies may not be enough to fully reimburse those with significant injuries after a crash. In such cases, they may be vulnerable to lawsuits brought by those with major expenses. The driver at fault may have to directly compensate the people affected by the crash. There could also be third parties with a degree of liability in certain cases.
Having assistance when dealing with a crash caused by an uninsured motorist can help people improve their chances of getting compensation. Complex insurance claims and lawsuits often require assistance.