Any motor vehicle accident that causes an injury can have a devastating impact on your quality of life. These incidents can become more stressful if the at-fault driver lacks the necessary insurance coverage. Unfortunately, some motorists choose to drive without an auto insurance 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 an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit, depending on the circumstances. Let a compassionate injury attorney with Maschka Personal Injury help you understand your options today.
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:
Unlike some states, Minnesota requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage.
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 brought by 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 fully 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.
If an at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, the injured party may be able to recover damages from their uninsured motorist policy. This coverage is only available when the at-fault driver does not have insurance.
If an at-fault driver has some insurance, but not enough to pay for all of the injured person’s damages, then the injured person may be able to make a claim for underinsured motorist benefits. This policy covers drivers who were injured by parties who were insured but did not have adequate coverage.
Regardless of whether the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, the driver is still responsible for all the damages they cause in a crash, and can still be held personally liable. Some drivers may have personal assets that could be used to cover some or all of the damages after a crash.
Talk to a Mankato uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyer today to discuss your options for recovering compensation if you have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
If the person who caused your accident does not have the insurance coverage necessary to pay for your damages, there may be other options. This includes relying on your own policy or filing an injury lawsuit against the defendant personally.
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.
