Roughly one in seven drivers nationwide is uninsured, according to a recent report by the Insurance Research Council - and here in Tennessee that number is closer to one in four.
Along with Florida and Oklahoma, Tennessee is tied for third among the states with the most uninsured drivers, surpassed only by Mississippi and New Mexico. Even in New Hampshire, the only state where car insurance is not required by law, the rate of uninsured drivers is closer to one in ten.
Unfortunately, uninsured drivers do more than put themselves at risk; they also pose a threat to others. A driver who injures another person in a car accident is generally responsible for paying the costs associated with that injury, such as medical bills or lost income. Ordinarily, the at-fault driver's automobile insurance will kick in to cover those costs - as long as the driver is insured. A driver who is uninsured will often be unable to fulfill his or her financial obligation to the injured person.
As a result, uninsured drivers raise the insurance rates for everyone else by forcing prudent drivers to purchase additional coverage known as uninsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage protects accident victims by ensuring that their injuries and other expenses will be paid for even if the at-fault driver is uninsured and unable to pay damages out of pocket.
While it may seem unfair, it is very important to make sure that your automobile insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, especially as more and more drivers try to cut costs by dropping their insurance coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is usually a relatively inexpensive addition to your existing policy, especially when viewed in comparison to the amount of protection and peace of mind it can offer.
If you are injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is also important to speak to a personal injury attorney to learn more about your rights and help you hold the other driver accountable for your losses.
