In North Carolina, all drivers must have car insurance. Unfortunately, however, not all drivers do.
Being involved in a car accident is financially and emotionally draining as it is. If an uninsured motorist injured you in an accident, this can make matters even worse.
If you have been injured in a car accident involving an uninsured motorist, having a lawyer on your side is vital. An experienced car accident lawyer helps ensure that your interests are represented and that nobody takes advantage of you.Contact Attorney Harry Albritton of Irons & Irons P.A. today to discuss your case and find out how we can represent you.
Insurance Coverage Laws in North Carolina
The state of North Carolina requires all motorists to carry continuous liability insurance. Liability insurance is extremely important and protects drivers and their passengers. If you are involved in an accident, having liability insurance can help compensate you for potential injuries or property damage caused by other drivers.
North Carolina law requires the following minimum coverage amounts on all liability insurance policies:
- Bodily injury (one person) → $30,000;
- Bodily injury (two or more people) → $60,000;
- Property damage → $25,000.
In addition, North Carolina requires all motorists to have uninsured motorist coverage. In general, this uninsured motorist coverage will cover the same limits as your liability insurance policy.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage NC
An uninsured motorist is simply a driver who does not have liability insurance. If you are in a car accident with an uninsured motorist, without proper insurance coverage, it can be difficult to attain compensation for your injuries and property damage.
This is why it is so important to have uninsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage provides extra protection for you, your passengers, and your property. If an uninsured driver is at-fault, uninsured coverage can allow you to recover. However, North Carolina only requires minimum coverage. This can often lead to a problem: what do you do if your damages exceed what your insurance will cover?
Should An Uninsured Motorist Cover My Damages?
Even if you do have uninsured motorist coverage, your policy limit may not be enough to cover your damages. Damages often include medical bills for you and your passengers and repair or replacement costs for damage caused to your vehicle.
Depending on the severity of the accident, your damages can very quickly exceed your policy limit.
What Will My Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover in North Carolina?
If you are in an accident and have uninsured motorist coverage, this can be very helpful. But as previously discussed, it still may not be enough. For example, if your uninsured motorist coverage has a policy limit of $30,000 for your individual bodily injuries, $30,000 is the maximum amount your insurance provider will payout.
The accident could potentially result in a hospital stay, surgery, medical bills, rehabilitation services, and a number of other consequences. If your total costs come out to $70,000, the maximum amount your provider will pay is still $30,000. At less than half of your actual damages, this can leave you in an extremely difficult situation.
If this happens to you, you still deserve compensation. You still deserve to be made whole. This may leave you with no other option than to go after the uninsured driver directly.
To do this, you might be able to bring a lawsuit against the uninsured driver, which could ultimately lead to a court judgment or an out of court settlement.
What Do I Do Now?
If you have sustained injuries in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you still have rights. A personal injury lawyer can help you hold negligent parties accountable. Harry Albritton and the lawyers at Irons & Irons P.A. are personal injury law experts. We have the knowledge and expertise necessary to make sure you recover everything you are entitled to. Contact us today to discuss your rights and options under North Carolina uninsured motorist laws.