What Is an Uninsured Driver?
An uninsured driver operates a vehicle without active car insurance. When that driver causes an accident, serious financial problems can follow. After all, car insurance exists to cover medical bills, vehicle damage, and other losses after a crash.
Some drivers never purchase insurance at all. Others, however, allow their coverage to expire and fail to renew their policy. This situation creates a lapse in coverage, which legally makes the driver uninsured.
How Many Uninsured Drivers Are on the Road?
You may be surprised by how common uninsured drivers are. According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 12.6% of drivers nationwide drove without insurance in 2019. That percentage has never dropped below 11% since data collection began in 1992.
In Louisiana, the numbers remain concerning as well. During the same year, roughly 11.7% of drivers in Louisiana drove without insurance.
Drivers caught without insurance in Louisiana face fines, penalties, and other legal consequences. In addition, Louisiana follows a rule commonly called “no pay, no play.” Under this law, uninsured drivers may lose the right to recover certain damages—even when another driver causes the crash.
Do You Need Car Insurance in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana law requires drivers to carry car insurance.
When drivers take to the road, they accept responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. For this reason, traffic laws and insurance requirements work together to reduce risk.
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Liability insurance covers damage you cause to others
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Full coverage insurance helps protect both vehicles involved
Without insurance, even a minor accident can quickly become a major financial burden.
What Happens If an Uninsured Driver Hits You?
If an uninsured driver hits you, you may still have legal options. In many cases, your auto policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or underinsured motorist coverage.
This type of coverage applies when:
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The at-fault driver has no insurance
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The at-fault driver lacks enough coverage to pay for your losses
When UM coverage applies, you can file a claim with your own insurance company. Most policies list this protection as “UM.”
Should You Add Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage?
In most situations, adding UM coverage is a smart decision. The coverage typically costs very little and provides valuable protection if an uninsured driver causes an accident.
However, insurance providers do not always emphasize this option. Because UM claims require insurers to pay their own policyholders, they may not highlight the coverage unless you specifically ask.
Even so, UM coverage often determines whether an accident victim receives full compensation.
Do You Need an Attorney for a UM Claim?
Legal help can make a real difference in uninsured driver cases. This is especially true when you must negotiate directly with an insurance company.
Insurance providers may attempt to reduce payouts, even on claims filed under your own policy. An experienced insurance attorney, however, can challenge unfair tactics and protect your rights.
The Louisiana car accident attorneys at Cueria Law Injury Lawyers bring decades of combined experience to uninsured motorist claims. We work to secure the compensation our clients deserve.
Call (504) 525-5211 or request a free consultation today to discuss your case.