As Personal Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas, we run into many questions about uninsured motorist insurance coverage. There are many different types of insurance policies and claims that can be filed with your insurance provider, the type of claim depends on the individual circumstances of an accident. One common, but little understood type of coverage is uninsured motorist coverage (UM for short). If you are financing your vehicle through a bank or dealership this type of coverage is often required, however, many others choose to carry the insurance even when they own their vehicle outright.
Uninsured motorist coverage is an insurance that protects you and your passengers if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and the other driver either, does not have insurance, their coverage has lapsed, or they flee the scene of the collision and cannot be located. While it is the law to maintain motor vehicle insurance, it is unfortunately an all-too-common problem that many Nevada drivers get behind the wheel with no coverage at all.
If you are involved in an accident and the other driver does not have insurance, you are only able to recover damages from their personal assets. Many times, uninsured drivers do not have the necessary money or assets to cover the cost of your vehicle repairs or medical expenses. By carrying uninsured motorist coverage on your policy you are protecting yourself from their irresponsibility.
Your uninsured motorist coverage is similar to a liability policy, except you carry it on your own behalf, for your own benefit. You file a claim through your provider, even if the accident was not your fault. The monetary amount of coverage available will be divided into three sections (Ex. $15,000/$30,000/$10,000- frequently abbreviated to 15/30/10). This means that your uninsured coverage will cover $15,000 of medical expenses per person, with a cap of $30,000 for all the passengers in the vehicle, and $10,000 of property damage.
Uninsured motorist coverage is a great asset to have; it protects you and your loved ones from the irresponsible decisions of other drivers on the roadway, who choose to drive without the necessary insurance required by law. Uninsured motorist coverage can relieve you of the stress or worry of medical bills or repair costs, and allow you to devote your time and energy to recovering from your injuries and getting back on your feet after an accident.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident, come to our office where our experienced team of personal injury attorneys can help you get the medical treatment you need and begin the process of getting you back on your feet and fairly compensated for your pain and suffering.
Kyle R. Tatum*
*Kyle is a Trial Lawyer with Ace Law Group (division of Kang & Associates) and has quickly established himself as an aggressive and knowledgeable Trial Lawyer at the Firm.