It is against the law to drive or operate a vehicle without liability insurance. But in these tough times, many people can afford only “minimum limits” or drive illegally with no coverage. In serious cases, the medical bills alone can easily exceed $100,000 or more. In those situations, one of the first concerns is will there be enough insurance coverage to pay the claim.

We begin every new case with a review of what insurance is available. Starting with the “at fault” driver, we need to know whether there is more than just “minimum limits.” In South Carolina, the minimum insurance required is 25/50/25. In North Carolina, the minimum limits are 30/60/25. What does this mean? The first two numbers refer to “bodily injury” liability limits. The third number represents “property damage” limits. For example, in an accident, the most any one injured person can recover is either $25,000 (SC) or $30,000 (NC), no matter what their injuries or medical bills. And, the most the “at fault” insurance carrier has to pay, regardless of how many people are involved, is $50,000 (SC) or $60,000 (NC). The last number, property damage, is the most that can be received, even for a “total loss.” This does not seem fair, but this is all the law currently mandates. So what happens if your injuries are more serious?

Next, we have to look at what other insurance coverage is available to us. “Underinsured Motorist Coverage” (UIM) is insurance that every family needs to have as part of their own policy. As the name implies, this coverage helps in situations where there is not enough “at fault” coverage. “Uninsured Motorist Coverage” (UM) similarly comes into play when the person who causes an accident has no insurance at all. You should contact your insurance agent and make sure you have this type of coverage and get as much as you can afford. Compare rates and you will find a few dollars more a year can protect you and your family.

The next insurance question we have to answer is are there other policies available which may be “stacked” in order to assemble the most insurance dollars possible. In serious accident cases, it is crucial that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney who understands these complex issues as early as possible. You have enough to deal with without having to deal with this. With over 20+ years experience, we can help you. Call us today and let’s get started.