uninsured drivers

How do you protect yourself against uninsured drivers?

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The last thing you want to think about is the possibility of being involved in a car accident. But what do you do if it does happen? What if the person who hit you did not even have car insurance or not enough insurance coverage? What are your options? People drive around with no insurance every day or they are underinsured. According to a study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), some estimated 30 million U.S. vehicle owners do not have car insurance. That is about 15%. The IRC is an organization paid for by the insurance companies.

What type of insurance do you need?

The reason that so many people go without insurance is mostly financial. They simply cannot afford it most times. When you are hit by an uninsured or even those who do not have enough insurance coverage, you could end up paying the price. However, there are ways to protect yourself by knowing what types of insurance coverage to buy. They are:

  • Uninsured motorist coverage (UMI) also called uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI)- this type of coverage protects you if you are ever in an accident with a driver considered to be at-fault and who does not carry liability insurance coverage. It covers you and your passengers. It pays for your lost wages, pain and suffering and medical expenses.
  • Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) – this protects you if you are in accident with a person who does not have enough insurance to cover all your injuries. This coverage is for you and your passengers and covers medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages.
  • Underinsured motorist property damage (UMPD)- this type of coverage pays for damage made by an uninsured driver. It also protects your car from a hit-and-run driver. Depending on the state you live in, the property covered could be your personal property, as well as, your car.

No one ever wants to be involved in a car accident, but making sure you have the proper car insurance coverage lets you know you are protected. It may give you piece of mind and help you sleep at night.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’RE INJURED AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK?

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Many Kentuckians will spend at least one day this summer (and possibly many) at a theme park, fair, carnival, water park or other outdoor location where rides and other activities abound. We count on these rides and activities to be as safe as possible.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen widely-reported instances where a day at the fair or amusement park ended in tragedy for someone, often as the result of a ride or other piece of equipment that malfunctioned.

Some injuries aren’t as serious as the ones that make the news, but they can require medical treatment and possibly even rehabilitation. If you or a loved one has been injured at a large amusement park, that park or the company that owns it likely has a process where you can file a claim. It’s important to do that as soon as possible, as they probably have a time limit.

If there’s no process for filing a claim, or if you aren’t able to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit. Again, time is of the essence. Kentucky law creates a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims.

Most of these cases are settled out of court. However, be prepared for the defendants to claim that your recklessness or negligence caused the injury. Even if your actions contributed to the injury, however, you may still have a case.

If you were required to sign a liability waiver before entering the location, such as at a rock climbing gym or laser tag center, you may have only limited ability to take legal action. However, not all waivers will hold up in court. Some are overly broad, for example.

It’s never a bad idea to speak with a personal injury attorney before you agree to any settlement. You don’t want to sign away your rights to further action or accept a payment that’s less than you’re entitled to receive. You want to protect your rights now and in the future.