Sevierville Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Explain the Importance of Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Advocating on your behalf in Pigeon Forge, Seymour, and Gatlinburg
Few activities are as exhilarating as taking to the open road on your motorcycle. However, it’s important that you take extra precautions to protect yourself and your passenger when on the highways. One necessary safeguard is ensuring that you are shielded from the actions of uninsured drivers.
Motorcycle accidents result in more than 90,000 injuries every year, and negligence by other vehicle operators is a major contributing factor. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are uninsured or underinsured. When these types of injuries occur, representation from an experienced Sevierville motorcycle injury attorney is vitally important. The dedicated attorneys at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC proudly represent the residents of Pigeon Forge, Seymour, and Gatlinburg when they are involved in a motorcycle accident with an uninsured driver.
Why do you need uninsured motorist coverage?
Most people follow the law and understand the importance of carrying adequate insurance. When this is the case, the liable party’s insurance company handles your accident claim and pays the determined damages. But when the other driver is uninsured, this regular course of action becomes irrelevant. According to the Insurance Research Council, there is a one-in-seven chance that the at-fault driver in an automobile crash is uninsured. That is a significant percentage that exemplifies the need for additional protection.
Tennessee law requires all insurance carriers within the state to offer uninsured motorist insurance as part of regular policies, with limits equal to other policy liability limits. A policyholder can decline the coverage, but he must sign a waiver stating his informed decision to decline. While it may seem tempting to reject the coverage for the sake of saving money in the short run, this decision can prove financially devastating if an accident occurs. With an uninsured motorist policy, your own insurance company will step in to pay for damages caused by the at-fault driver. Underinsured motorist insurance works in a similar manner, except it covers drivers who are not adequately insured, instead of drivers who carry no insurance at all.
The physical, mental and financial effects of a motorcycle crash can prove devastating. Serious injuries are common with these types of accidents, so hospitalization and rehabilitation is often necessary. The cost of these injuries can prove significant. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the average cost of a motorcycle crash is substantially higher than the cost of a passenger vehicle accident. A less serious accident costs about $2,500 to $4,000. At the more serious end of the spectrum, a motorcycle crash can cost more than a million dollars. Hospital costs for motorcycle accidents average between $30,000 and $40,000.
Without adequate uninsured or underinsured coverage, you may have no recourse for compensation. There is an option of filing suit against the at-fault party for payment, but uninsured drivers are often financially unstable, without resources to adequately cover the cost of your medical care and other related damages. This can leave you in a situation where you are stuck with the burden of astronomical medical expenses, in addition to the stresses of recovery. Our experienced Sevierville motorcycle accident lawyers can provide further guidance about uninsured motorist insurance.
Learn more about uninsured coverage from knowledgeable Sevierville motorcycle accident lawyers
The Sevierville motorcycle injury attorneys at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC have more than 20 years of experience representing motorcycle accident victims within the Tennessee court system. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you need a dedicated lawyer on your side to fight for your rights. Call us today at 865-428-8780 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. Our personal injury lawyers proudly serve clients in and around Sevierville, Seymour, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
