Uninsured Motorist Law

Uninsured motorist laws protect people from suffering at the hands of a driver with no auto insurance.

According to CarAccidentAttorneys.com, 14 percent of all drivers in America have no auto insurance. To protect people from this large population of uninsured drivers, many states have laws pertaining to the uninsured.

Identification

Several states require all drivers to carry at least some amount of coverage for damage from uninsured motorists. This type of insurance requires the insurer to pay out as if the person at fault had insurance. In addition, the law may allow the victim to sue the uninsured driver for damages.

Function

Uninsured motorist laws exist to protect insured drivers from suffering damages from those without insurance and to give drivers motivation to purchase auto insurance.

Considerations

In most cases, people do not carry car insurance because they cannot afford it. If the uninsured driver causes damage, he may not possess enough resources for it to be profitable for the victim to sue, hence the reason uninsured motorist insurance is highly advised.

Effects

Uninsured motorist laws change depending on the location, but most states revoke driving privileges for uninsured motorists until they pay for any injuries or damages.

Tips

People should review their particular state laws concerning who is considered an authorized driver of the vehicle. The state court usually determines who receives benefits in an accident with an uninsured driver, or who an uninsured motorist insurance policy covers.

References

• CarAccidentAttorneys.com: Uninsured Motorist Law
• Lawyers.com: Uninsured Motorist Insurance
• Michigan Department of Transportatino: Uninsured Motorists/Safety Responsibility Law