There are many different kinds of drivers on the Louisiana roads who pose more risk for you than the average individual. You probably already know that crossing paths with someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or going through an intersection at the same time as someone distracted by their mobile phone, might increase your risk of a crash.
You might actively monitor traffic for signs of distracted or drunk drivers and practice defensive driving to keep yourself and your passengers as safe as possible. Unfortunately, another group that can put you in a lot of danger doesn’t have the same telltale signs that distracted and drunk drivers often display.
An uninsured driver could cause a serious motor vehicle collision with you and then have no insurance to compensate you for your losses.
How serious of a risk is a crash with an uninsured driver?
You might assume that most responsible adults make sure they have insurance and maintain their vehicle in a safe manner. However, some people don’t have the financial resources, education or organization to manage all the responsibilities that come with driving.
Some people might let their insurance lapse because they forget they have to pay their monthly premium. Drivers could also intentionally allow it to last because they don’t have the resources to pay it. According to an analysis by the Insurance Information Institute, about 13% of drivers operating a vehicle on the Louisiana roads don’t have insurance on their vehicles.
What can you do after you get hit by an uninsured driver?
A crash with an uninsured driver can mean weeks of stress and difficulty getting the compensation you deserve due to injuries, lost wages and the damage the other driver caused to your vehicle. Ideally, you already have some protection against dangerous uninsured drivers.
You have the option of carrying uninsured driver protection on your own policy that will help cover you if the other driver doesn’t have an active insurance policy. If you don’t have uninsured driver coverage, that doesn’t mean you are completely without options. You may be able to bring a civil lawsuit against the other driver because of lost wages, medical costs and the damage to your vehicle.