Indiana Ranks No. 8 For High Percentage of Uninsured Motorists

13 percent of motorists, or about one in eight drivers, was uninsured,
according to a 2017 study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC). Statistics
show that percentage rising since it hit a record low of 12.3 in 2010.
An exhausted economy and an increase in mobile populations may be contributing
to the upward trend. In 2015, Indiana was ranked No. 8 in the Top 10 Highest
States of Uninsured Motorist by IRC. This shows 16.7 percent of Hoosiers
choose to drive without insurance coverage even though the state requires
every motorist to carry the following minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage:

  • Bodily injury coverage per person: $25,000
  • Bodily injury coverage per accident when multiple persons are injured: $50,000
  • Property damage coverage per accident: $10,000

Many accidents and injuries caused by uninsured drivers are actually hit
and runs or triggered by drivers with a low economic profile, creating
an extra burden on responsible drivers to protect themselves from someone
else’s costly mistake. When this happens, it’s the victims
and their insurance company who carry the responsibility supported by
uninsured and underinsured motorists’ coverage. This allows a person
injured by an uninsured driver to collect damages from their own insurance
company. According to the IRC, “uninsured motorists nationwide add
$67 a year on average to a typical policyholder’s bill, whose annual
premium was already more than $900 in 2014.”

What to Do If Involved in a Crash with an Uninsured Driver

Uninsured drivers cause financial hardships, insurance rates to increase,
and sometimes lifelong, unnecessary burdens on individuals and their families.
Injured victims of these negligent drivers are entitled under Indiana
law to recover complete compensation for injury-related losses and damages.
To help ensure that you receive the compensation you will need for medical
expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and any other damages to which
you may be entitled by, be sure to carry uninsured and underinsured motorists’
coverage and always follow these steps if you become injured in an accident.

  • If you, or anyone involved is injured, get medical treatment immediately.
  • Call the police or 911 to get the appropriate emergency response departments.
  • If able, you or someone else should gather as much evidence (photos, videos)
    and witness contact information at the scene.
  • Contact the personal injury lawyers at Wagner Reese.
  • Never let yourself be talked into signing or agreeing to anything without
    first consulting with a lawyer.
  • Keep all important information and documentation together. This can include
    the contact information for those involved, including witnesses, medical
    records, police information, and insurance correspondence and documentation.

Hit and run victims may find themselves in a panic, especially when wondering
who is left responsible for injuries and property damage created from
an accident, but it’s important to stay calm and gather as much
information as possible to file an accident report. This way police can
have the best outcome in locating the driver responsible for the crash.

Remember, symptoms of a car or truck accident injury do not always present
immediately after a crash. Pain may show up within a couple of hours to
even a day later, and more serious injuries may start to produce symptoms
that should not be ignored.

Working with the Right Legal Team

After an auto accident, it is normal to have questions like: who is going
to pay my medical bills, who is going to pay my lost wages, and who is
going to pay to fix my car, especially if the other driver was uninsured.
Wagner Reese’s personal injury lawyers handle motor vehicle accident
cases every day and have the experience to help you and your family. We
can also work with insurance companies on your behalf.

If you’ve been in a car wreck involving an uninsured driver or a
hit and run crash, the
vehicular accident attorneys at Wagner Reese can help you recover from your injuries and get back on
the road to both physical and financial recovery. Give us a call today
at (888) 204-8440 to schedule a free consultation or speak with us by
submitting our online form and our attorneys will review your information.