Insurance helps make motor vehicle ownership feasible for middle-class and working-class Kentucky residents. Without insurance coverage, people would be personally responsible for any losses they caused for other people. The expenses are so extreme after some crashes that the average person likely could not cover them without the help of insurance.
If a distracted driver runs a red light and causes a crash, the people in the other vehicle could file an insurance claim. The liability coverage of the driver at fault for the collision can pay to repair a vehicle and for someone’s medical care costs. Insurance can even help cover lost wages.
People typically expect a simple process when requesting compensation after a collision because of Kentucky’s insurance mandates. Unfortunately, not all drivers comply with insurance rules. How likely are people to end up hurt in a crash caused by a driver without insurance?
Uninsured drivers are everywhere
Quite a few people struggle to balance their budgets. They may resent the monthly cost of motor vehicle insurance because they view it as wasted money. People sometimes cancel their insurance policies or fail to make a payment because they focus on other bills instead. These drivers might then have no coverage when they cause a crash.
Kentucky’s rate of uninsured drivers is relatively high. According to insurance industry data from 2019, approximately 13.9% of Kentucky drivers do not have the necessary coverage. In other words, roughly one in nine drivers in Kentucky don’t have insurance, which is a major concern for those on the road.
Who pays for crashes caused by uninsured drivers?
Just because a driver fails to carry insurance does not absolve them of financial liability when they cause a wreck. The people injured in crashes caused by uninsured drivers and those with substantial property damage losses can potentially file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits against the driver without coverage.
Unlike an insurance claim, a lawsuit is not subject to policy limits that could force someone to accept less than the total cost created by a crash. Of course, navigating the civil courts while simultaneously coping with an injury can be quite challenging. Seeking legal guidance can help those seeking financial justice after a crash caused by an uninsured driver.