South Carolina motorists are required by law to carry automobile insurance policies that meet certain minimum requirements. Unfortunately, not all drivers on the road do so. A car accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist means that an injured driver will need to decide how to pay for the medical treatment he or she needs. This can be accomplished in one of several ways:
- Uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage: The injured driver may have an auto insurance policy that allows him or her to recover compensation from his or her own insurance company in the event he or she is involved in an uninsured/underinsured motor vehicle crash. Uninsured/underinsured coverage also typically covers injuries resulting from a hit-and-run accident. This coverage typically results in a premium that is slightly higher than the premium for a policy with no such coverage.
- Personal health insurance: Most every American must carry health insurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act. If a driver is injured by an uninsured motorist but the driver does not have uninsured driver insurance coverage, his or her health insurance policy can be used to pay for any necessary treatment.
- Bringing a lawsuit against the uninsured driver: An uninsured driver is personally responsible for the injuries he or she causes. If the uninsured driver can be identified and he or she has assets that are sufficient to cover your expenses and losses, it may be worthwhile to bring a car accident lawsuit against this person.
Injured drivers should consult with an experienced car accident lawyer at Elrod Pope as soon as possible following an uninsured/underinsured crash in order to learn their exact legal rights and the options available to them to exercise these rights.
