Liability insurance is the first form of protection available to those involved in car crashes. Drivers in Louisiana generally need to carry liability policies to legally operate vehicles in the state. Unfortunately, not every driver has enough coverage when looking at the potential costs that a crash could generate. Some people seeking compensation after a car crash quickly realize that the motorist at fault for the wreck was actually underinsured.
While they carry the coverage required by law, the damages they caused are likely to generate expenses that go well beyond the coverage available. How often do people involved in crashes end up navigating the harm that someone without adequate insurance coverage has caused?
Requirements fall short of major costs
Louisiana’s car insurance requirements aren’t quite in line with the potential expenses generated by major crashes. The state requires $25,000 worth of property damage coverage. That may not be enough to replace a totaled vehicle, especially if a driver has a late-model car, an import or a sports car.
The mandatory bodily injury coverage is also likely to fall far short of the costs generated by serious injuries. If one person gets hurt in a crash, the driver at fault has an obligation to provide $15,000 worth of liability coverage. That doubles to $30,000 in cases where two or more people sustain injuries.
Bodily injury coverage must pay for not just medical expenses but also lost wages. The minimum amount required by law may prove insufficient in cases where people have significant expenses.
Who helps when insurance isn’t enough?
Liability coverage is the only insurance mandated by law, but there are other forms of protection that could help people cover collision expenses. Some drivers carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Others may have collision or comprehensive coverage available to augment the liability coverage of the other driver.
Without supplemental insurance protection, those facing major collision expenses may need to look into litigation. They can potentially take legal action against the driver who caused the crash. There could even be third parties with partial liability for the wreck. Employers, vehicle manufacturers and other businesses can sometimes have a degree of liability for a collision.
Drivers trying to understand their options, negotiate insurance claims or file personal injury lawsuits often require legal guidance. Working with an attorney can make it easier for people to cover car crash expenses when an underinsured motorist is at fault for a wreck.