Some drivers don’t care about breaking the law. They may drive without a valid license or after their insurance coverage has lapsed. Obviously, when highly irresponsible drivers cause crashes, the other people involved may have challenges ahead.
However, even those who follow the basic requirements necessary to legally drive can still leave others in a difficult position if they cause a wreck. Many drivers carry insurance but remain underinsured. In other words, they simply do not have enough liability coverage based on the potential costs that a crash could inspire.
State insurance requirements are too low
Lawmakers addressing mandatory insurance coverage rules have to balance the need to keep policies accessible with the need to provide adequate support after major collisions. Current insurance regulations in Oklahoma have somewhat low minimum requirements.
Drivers can legally operate motor vehicles with as little as $25,000 in property damage coverage. They may have a similar amount of coverage available if they cause a crash where people get injured. Bodily injury liability coverage is subject to two minimums.
There is a minimum amount of coverage required in case one person sustains injuries in a crash and a second, higher amount that applies per collision when multiple people get hurt in a single incident. Current state requirements only mandate $25,000 in coverage to compensate one person or $50,000 of coverage per collision.
That may not seem unfairly low at first. However, bodily injury coverage has to pay for all necessary medical care and also cover lost wages. In scenarios where people sustain major injuries or where they lose a loved one in a crash, the minimum amount of insurance may only cover a tiny fraction of the overall collision costs.
When people end up in crashes caused by underinsured drivers, they typically have a few options available to them. They can make use of supplemental insurance coverage on their own policies. Underinsured driver coverage and comprehensive or collision coverage can augment the liability coverage provided by the driver at fault.
They may also be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash. Finally, they might have the option of looking into third-party liability where they hold an outside party accountable for causing the wreck.
Discussing the circumstances surrounding a crash caused by an underinsured driver with a skilled legal team can help people determine the best options given their unique circumstances. The parties not at fault for the crash should not have to absorb losses because of the poor choices of other people.