Any motor vehicle accident that causes an injury can have a devastating impact on your quality of life. These incidents become more stressful if the at-fault driver lacks the necessary insurance coverage. Some motorists choose to drive without a policy, while others have inadequate policy limits.
Individuals may have a chance to seek compensation after uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Mankato. This could come in the form of a civil lawsuit or an insurance claim, depending on the circumstances. Let a compassionate injury attorney with Maschka Personal Injury help you understand your options today.
Insurance Requirements in Minnesota
To understand if a driver in a Mankato auto accident is underinsured or uninsured, it is necessary to know the coverage requirements under state law. Before anyone can legally operate a vehicle on public roads, they must have a minimum amount of liability coverage in place. This includes the following:
- Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $10,000
- Total personal injury protection (PIP): $40,000
- Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Unlike most states, Minnesota requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage.
The Difference Between Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers
Whether a driver is uninsured or underinsured, the impact on other motorists is essentially the same. Any time a negligent driver fails to maintain adequate coverage, they are personally liable for the damage they cause. This can be a heavy burden given the high cost of medical bills and vehicle repairs after a crash.
A driver is uninsured if they do not have any liability coverage. Liability policies shield a motorist from negligence claims from other drivers if they cause a crash. Without any coverage, the uninsured motorist will be personally responsible for the full cost of the accident.
Underinsured drivers have some coverage, but not enough to compensate the injured party for their injuries. Underinsured drivers carry the insurance the law requires, but the limits on those policies do not pay for the full damage caused by the collision.
Drivers in Mankato who are injured in an uninsured or underinsured car accident may have to seek compensation from their own insurance policy.
Options for Compensation
Even if the at-fault driver lacks adequate coverage, they can still be held personally liable. They may have personal assets that could be used to cover some or all of the damages after a crash.
While underinsured drivers have some coverage, it can become a challenge if the policy limits are well below the total damages. Insurance companies will often agree to make a payment only up to the policy limits if the injured driver waives any obligation on what is left over. This is why having the support of strong Mankato legal counsel is so important after an uninsured or underinsured car crash.
In some situations, it will be best for a driver to file a claim on their own policy. These policies can pay for damages from PIP to uninsured motorist coverage if the other driver lacks coverage.
Talk to a Lawyer in Mankato About Uninsured/Underinsured Car Accidents
If the person who caused your accident does not have the insurance coverage necessary to pay for your damages, there may be options. This includes relying on your own policy or filing an injury lawsuit against all potential defendants.
Reach out to our southern Minnesota attorneys to learn how we can help after uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Mankato. Our Maschka Personal Injury legal team is based in Mankato and serves the surrounding areas.
