Auto accident attorneys obtain compensation for car accident victims. However, auto accident attorneys typically don’t get that compensation directly from people who were at-fault for accidents.
Rather, auto accident attorneys usually obtain compensation from insurance companies. These companies insure at-fault drivers.
What happens when an at-fault driver doesn’t carry enough insurance? That is, enough to fairly compensate his victim.
Sometimes, the at-fault driver owns a lot of assets. Enough to compensate the victim.
However, most drivers are not wealthy enough to compensate an accident victim. What can you do to protect yourself from such a driver?
Auto accident attorneys will tell you there is a solution. When you buy car insurance, you need to buy adequate uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. Such coverage is often abbreviated as UM/UIM.
I urge you not to just buy the minimum insurance policy. In New Jersey, such policies come with only $15,000 of UM/UIM coverage. Certain low-income people even may buy policies with no such coverage.
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Auto Accident Attorneys’ Advice: Buy enough Insurance.
Rather, buy as much UM/UIM coverage as you can afford.
Otherwise, if you are injured by an uninsured driver, you may be unable to get fair compensation. If you suffer, say, multiple fractures that leave you permanently disabled, $15,000 from your UM/UIM coverage isn’t adequate.
Same goes if a driver who carries only the minimum amount of liability insurance injures you. That minimum is also $15,000.
Unfortunately, I have seen these situations myself.
Auto accident attorneys will tell you to buy at least $250,000 in UM/UIM coverage. Even better, buy at least $500,000.
Here’s a link to a court case about a fortunate motorist. Her mother did buy an increased amount of UIM coverage.
You buy insurance to protect you from irresponsible drivers. Once you are hurt in an accident, it’s too late to buy more coverage. Buy it today.
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