Most motorcycle riders are very cautious when riding. Experienced riders make sure to wear protective gear, drive defensively and obey traffic rules. Though these are all crucial to ensuring your safety, the reality is that a lot depends on the actions of others, no matter how much you do to safeguard yourself. For this reason, South Carolina motorcycle riders need to strongly consider carrying UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage before setting out on the open road. UIM coverage is another way of taking proactive action to ensure that you and any passengers on your bike are protected in the event of a serious accident.
UIM coverage refers to a special insurance policy thatprotects drivers in the event that the person responsible for their accident either lacks insurance completely or does not carry sufficient insurance to pay for all the damage suffered. UIM covers physical injuries as well as property damage when the at-fault driver is either totally uninsured or underinsured.
When UIM coverage is used, an injured motorcyclist simply applies to his or her own insurance company and asks them to step in and cover any damages that exist over and above the amount that the responsible driver is able to pay. This serves as a much-needed protection for riders who might otherwise be left injured with no recourse. After all, even if the other driver is found legally responsible, if he or she has no money there’s little chance that a lawsuit will do any good. In the end, you can’t get blood from a turnip.
What are some reasons that UIM coverage is so important? If involved in an accident several issue may arise where UIM could benefit the injured rider.
Unfortunately, a large percentage of individuals on the roads are driving without insurance. Despite the fact that the law requires insurance, experts believe that as many as 10 percent of all drivers in South Carolina lack valid auto insurance policies. In some states, that number rises as high as 20 percent. Given the prevalence of uninsured drivers, motorcyclists need to take steps to protect themselves from a potentially costly accident. UIM coverage is one great way to do just that.
Beyond the startling number of uninsured drivers on South Carolina roadways, there are many more who are woefully underinsured. The reason for this is that in South Carolina, the law only requires drivers to carry $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person with a cap of $50,000 in coverage per accident. Though this may seem like a big number, the reality is that in a serious South Carolina motorcycle accident, $25,000 is only a drop in the bucket.
If a rider suffers severely broken bones, brain injuries or spinal damage, the medical costs, lost wages and rehabilitation expenses could easily jump into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The problem is that even if the person responsible for your accident carried coverage at the minimum state level, this would be nowhere near enough to fully compensate you, meaning you would be left on the hook for the remainder of your medical bills.
Given the potentially enormous cost of a serious South Carolina motorcycle accident, it is critical that riders carry their own UIM coverage. This coverage serves as an important supplement to the at-fault driver’s insurance and will help protect you and your family from the threat posed by expensive medical bills.
If you, or someone you love, was injured in a motorcycle accident and you have questions about dealing with insurance companies, call the South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyers of Riders Law Group today at (843) 310-4949 or click the chat button on this page.
If you’ve been injured in a personal injury accident it can be hard to know what to do next. At Riders Law Group we can help you get the compensation you deserve to continue providing for your family and to recover after an accident.