If you are hit by an uninsured motorist in Iowa, do you know what your options are? Without coverage, you may be facing costly expenses and a long, drawn-out legal battle with your insurance company. Is it worth the risk when over 10% of Iowa road users drive around with no insurance whatsoever? Monge & Associates are here to discuss the dangers of uninsured drivers and why you may want to think twice about not covering your own back. When in doubt, speak with a Des Moines personal injury lawyer to discuss the details of your case.
The Dangers of Uninsured Motorists on Iowa Roads
There were over 1,000 recorded serious crashes in Iowa in 2022. This statistic is only predicted to rise by the end of 2023. With so many crashes taking place, residents need to be mindful of the risks and act responsively to ensure they are both protected and insured while driving about. It can leave you completely vulnerable to repair costs, medical bills, and general expenses in the aftermath and this is the last thing you need to be dealing with at such a traumatic time.
Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage is Helpful
So, what are the core benefits of an uninsured motorist policy? Well, the first advantage here is that you will be financially protected if such an incident takes place. Remember, around 11% of drivers in Iowa are uninsured and though that figure seems low, it is not when you put it into context. It pays for things like lost wages, medical bills, suffering factors, wrongful deaths, and more.
Extra Protection
The best case scenario here is that you are giving yourself some extra protection if the worst happens. This little slice of peace of mind is invaluable. It will help you feel confident when driving that if someone hits you, and they can’t pay, you won’t be out of pocket or financially at risk.
Financial Factors
It also means that, if the uninsured driver cannot cover the cost of repairs or medical expenses, you will be okay. Being involved in an accident is hard enough without adding in the complications that uninsured motorists bring to the table. They are putting road users at risk of real hardship by neglecting their duty of care and legal responsibility. After all, car insurance exists for a specific purpose and is not there to be opted out of. You can also factor in lost wages for time away from your job, which is often necessary when recovering from a serious road accident. You never know what injuries you may sustain, but it is easy to see how the costs can soon add up in the absence of protection.
Protecting Pain and Suffering
Even if you have top-tier health insurance, it is not always the case that pain and suffering will be factored in. With UMI, this is always a consideration. It is an important protective factor because it makes it easier to negotiate settlements with insurance companies when you can represent the impact of pain and suffering in your life after an accident takes place in this way.
Legally Speaking
In Iowa, there is no legal requirement that determines you must carry uninsured motorist coverage on your policy. However, the risk of not having it may be greater than you realize because Iowa state only covers up to $20,000 expenses insurance wise for each person involved in a crash with an uninsured driver. This means, any medical expenses above this value will be completely up to you to cover, and this is not a situation you want to find yourself in.
Will It Cost a Lot?
The truth is, this type of coverage should not put you into financial hardship. The average cost is around $130 per year, and when you look at the bigger picture, it has more benefits than drawbacks. The cost of repairing your vehicle, paying medical bills, and being off work after an accident with an uninsured driver will be so much more than $130 so this protective payout is worth it just for these facts.
The simple fact is, if you can’t afford insurance, you should not be driving the vehicle. Yet, so many people seem to ignore simple facts and do as they please regardless. Our offices can be found in 32 locations across 19 states including Iowa, Georgia, Alabama, Washington, and Illinois. We know how to help you if you have been involved in a collision with an uninsured driver, and we will talk through the options with you when you make an appointment with the team.
Call us now for a free consultation at (888) 477-0597 if you have been hit by an uninsured driver.