While state law mandates that motorists carry a minimum amount of liability insurance whenever they drive, not everyone follows these guidelines. This can be frustrating when they cause an accident, only for the victims to suddenly realize there is no insurance policy to cover their damages.
If you have been hurt in an uninsured/underinsured car accident in Avondale, it’s important to remember you have options. A skilled personal injury attorney with Phillips Law Group can answer your questions and help protect your rights.
Arizona law requires every driver to carry minimum liability insurance before operating a vehicle. These requirements exist to ensure that drivers can pay for injuries or property damage they cause in a crash. Unfortunately, some drivers still ignore these rules or carry only the bare minimum coverage.
Arizona’s required liability coverage includes:
This coverage pays for injuries or damage that the insured driver causes to others. It does not cover the driver’s own injuries or vehicle damage. If the at-fault driver does not carry insurance, accident victims may struggle to recover full compensation for their losses.
An underinsured driver is someone who carries liability insurance, but not enough coverage to fully cover the cost of a crash. This situation is more common than many people realize, especially in serious crashes where medical bills quickly exceed policy limits.
For example, imagine a driver carries the Arizona minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage. If that driver causes a crash that results in $80,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, the policy will only pay up to the $25,000 limit. The remaining balance is up to the at-fault party to cover, and they likely don’t have that kind of money lying around.
Because the state minimum limits are relatively low, many accident victims discover that the at-fault driver’s insurance falls far short of covering their actual damages. This is what makes uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Avondale so frustrating.
When an uninsured driver causes a crash, recovering compensation becomes more complicated. However, you may still have several potential options depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Many people in this situation turn to their own insurance policy for support. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage through your own insurance policy, this coverage can pay for medical bills and other damages when the at-fault driver does not have insurance.
Of course, this type of coverage is optional, and purchasing it means higher premiums. If you opted to save money and avoid this coverage, your insurance policy won’t help here.
In some cases, other parties may share responsibility for the accident. For example, a vehicle manufacturer, a commercial employer, or a negligent property owner could contribute to the crash. If another responsible party exists, you may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim in addition to insurance benefits
Getting hurt in an accident with an uninsured driver can be scary, especially as medical bills and other losses pile up. The good news is that you might be able to hold them accountable for your injuries in the crash. At Phillips Law Group, we will work tirelessly to help you get the justice you deserve following an uninsured/underinsured car accident in Avondale. Reach out to our team today.
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