With bad economy comes more uninsured drivers—and possibly twice the heartache for those they injure.

As this article shows, the stagnant economy has led more people to drive without car insurance.  Ohio is amongst the riskiest states in America, with at least 16% of drivers on the road lacking insurance.  This leads to article #2 in our series about what the best trial lawyers want you to know:     

The importance of uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage

Most people do not learn about “uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage” (lawyers often call it “UIM coverage”) until it’s too late.  We’ve seen this sad story unfold many times.

If you or a loved one are injured by someone driving without liability insurance (the insurance coverage that pays damages to a person injured in a wreck), you will likely have no practical legal remedy against the wrongdoer.  Sadly, we’ve seen cases where potential clients have been paralyzed by a car wreck that was not their fault, but received nothing, because the wrongdoer was driving without liability insurance.

However, if you purchase UIM coverage on your own automobile insurance policy, you can obtain compensation under your policy for harm caused by a driver who has no insurance.  With UIM coverage, your own insurance carrier stands in the shoes of the uninsured wrongdoer, and must pay damages for any harm the wrongdoer caused you or your family.

Also, even people driving with state limits of liability insurance can be “underinsured, ” because Ohio only requires drivers to carry liability insurance of $12,500 per person injured.  Imagine if such a minimally insured driver crashed into your loved one, causing serious injury requiring hundreds of thousands in medical bills, or causing death.  $12,500 in insurance coverage would do little to remedy the harm they caused.  In such cases, “underinsured motorist coverage” can apply.  If you have purchased higher limits of such UIM coverage under your own policy, your own insurance carrier stands in the shoes of the underinsured wrongdoer, and must pay damages for any harm the wrongdoer caused you or your family.

UIM coverage can be purchased in coverage limits of several hundred thousand dollars or more, to compensate your family for the most serious harms.  And the coverage is surprisingly inexpensive, considering the value it could provide you in a time of disaster.

Ask any of the best trial lawyers anywhere:  what is the most important insurance coverage you can purchase?  They will tell you it is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. 

Our firm represents seriously injured victims of motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes.  We pursue cases and protect your rights against the wrongdoer, or your UIM insurance carrier.  Call Hill Hardman, LLC., if you have any questions, or if we can serve you.