What if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?

If you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence in a car accident, you’re in a difficult position, but if they don’t carry the car insurance that they’re required to by law, the matter is that much more challenging. South Carolina is not a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents, but it does require all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which can help you address your losses. Car accident claims for accidents caused by uninsured motorists are complex, but an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney can help.

Uninsured Motorist Insurance

The State of South Carolina requires every motorist to carry uninsured motorist insurance (UMI) that is designed to cover you if the negligent driver who leaves you injured doesn’t have the liability insurance they should. In other words, if you’re injured by an uninsured driver’s negligence, such as their distraction or excess speed, you have your own coverage to turn to.

The UIM coverage requirements in South Carolina include:

• A minimum of $25,000 in coverage for injuries and related damages for one person or a total of $50,000 for all those injured
• A minimum of $25,000 in coverage for property damage, such as to the vehicle and its contents

These amounts are minimums, but you can purchase UIM coverage up to the amount that you carry in liability, which means your coverage may exceed these limits.

Your Covered Losses

Your UIM policy covers the same categories of loss that the other driver’s liability coverage would have covered – if they’d carried it – including:

• Your medical bills, which can be extensive and may be ongoing
• Your lost income, which may include losses that relate to your earning potential
• Your physical and emotional pain and suffering, which can exceed your other losses

It’s important to note here that your own insurance company – like all other insurance companies – is in the business of turning a profit, which means they’re committed to keeping their settlements as low as possible. Working closely with a formidable car accident attorney from the start is always to your advantage.

Stacking Policies

In some situations, it’s possible to combine UIM coverage, which is referred to as stacking policies. This relates to using more than one policy to cover bodily injuries. For example, if you and your spouse both have vehicles on the same policy, you may be able to stack the coverage – by adding the two coverage limits together. The same may be true if your name is on more than one policy in your household.

Make the Call to an Experienced Columbia, South Carolina, Car Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been injured by an uninsured motorist, the practiced Columbia car accident attorneys at Sharpe & Leventis are well prepared and well positioned to fiercely advocate for your rights and rightful compensation, and we welcome the opportunity to help. For more information about what we can do for you, please don’t put off reaching out and contacting us online or calling (803) 830-6296 today.