Preventing Uninsured Motorist Accidents: Essential Tips for Safer Driving
Reduce your risk of getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist by driving defensively and avoiding risky behaviors on the road.
How often do uninsured motorist accidents actually occur? Approximately 14% of drivers in the United States—about 1 in 8—are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council, (IRC). In Washington state, that number is even higher, with some estimating that 16-22% of all drivers are uninsured. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 750,000 of Washington’s 4.4 million drivers are uninsured, the 5th highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the country.
While most states require owners to purchase auto insurance, many drivers either cannot afford insurance or choose not to purchase it. The consequences can be significant for both the driver and the injured party if they are involved in an uninsured motorist accident.
Understanding the Risks of Uninsured Motorists
Uninsured motorists take on substantial risk by driving an uninsured vehicle, as they are responsible for paying for losses incurred should they get in an accident. These damages may include the destruction of one’s own vehicle, another party’s vehicle, or medical expenses. Losses stemming from an accident can be significant, particularly if there are serious injuries requiring long-term medical care, multiple surgeries, an extended hospital stay, or ongoing treatments.
On the other side, getting into an accident caused by an uninsured motorist can lead to significant financial strain due to limited recovery options. If an uninsured motorist causes an accident, for example, victims may have to cover vehicle repairs and medical bills out-of-pocket, even if they are not at fault, as there is no insurance company to file a claim against.
In addition to issues relating to personal injury, emotional trauma and property damage, there are significant legal risks in driving without insurance. Uninsured drivers may be subject to significant fines – in some cases, up to $5,000. Driving without insurance may also result in license loss or suspension. Insurance companies who note this infraction are likely to classify a driver as a high risk, which may hinder purchasing future insurance or make it prohibitively expensive to purchase a policy.
Finally, in Washington state, it is legal to sue an uninsured driver who causes injury or harm. A court ruling against the uninsured driver would involve punitive damages, requiring payment for collision damages or seizure of assets if payment is not made. Without the benefit of insurance, such a scenario could potentially cause financial hardship or even bankruptcy in many cases.
Invest in Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage
So, what is the best way to protect yourself in an accident? It’s simple: make sure you and your family members are fully covered by adding Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to your existing policy. While most motorists on the road do have a minimum coverage auto insurance policy which meets legal state standards, the reality is that most drivers simply do not have enough coverage.
For example, a basic auto insurance policy may be adequate if you cause a fender bender which damages a portion of another party’s vehicle. But what happens if the accident causes injuries requiring significant medical care, like multiple surgeries, extended hospitalization, or ongoing treatment? A serious accident can quickly rack up medical expenses which result in an overwhelming financial burden, and exceed the amount of coverage found on most insurance policies.
Both UM and UIM policies provide additional auto insurance protection, no matter who caused the accident. These types of coverage protect you against financial loss, even if the other driver is uninsured, and provide true peace of mind and protection for all members of your family any time they get into a vehicle.
When was the last time you reviewed your insurance policy? Many insurance holders are not even aware of what is included in their policy, so it is a good idea to check if the insurance policy includes UM/UIM coverage. In addition, it’s a good idea to consult with an insurance agent or a skilled personal injury attorney to understand policy options and add more coverage if necessary.
Defensive Driving Techniques to Avoid Uninsured Motorist Accidents
While it’s impossible to control the actions of others, there are steps drivers can take to protect themselves on the road and lessen the chances of getting into an uninsured motorist accident. Being proactive and driving defensively when operating a vehicle is critically important. Here are some practical ways to avoid accidents and engage in safety strategies.
First and foremost, it’s always a good idea for drivers to maintain safe following distances. The National Safety Council (NSC) recommends that all drivers abide by the “three second rule,” which means that drivers should leave at least three seconds of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. To determine the three-second gap, choose a landmark or fixed point on the road like a tree or signpost and start counting “one-thousand one, one-thousand two, one-thousand three” as the car in front passes it.
This rule applies to ideal driving conditions, so if the weather is inclement, drivers should adjust based on weather and road conditions, allowing for even more than three seconds between their vehicle and others. Maintaining distance provides ample time to react if the driver in front is erratic or makes sudden stops.
An additional technique to avoiding collisions is to stay out of other drivers’ blind spots. Blind spots are specific areas around your vehicle that cannot be seen while using mirrors alone. Generally, larger vehicles, such as semi trucks, RVs and SUVs have more blind spots, which in general pose a greater hazard on the road. Conversely, bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians are most vulnerable to blind spots due to their small size.
Even experienced drivers who use their side and rear view mirrors are susceptible to blind spots. Common blind spots include areas beside and behind the vehicle, such as near the rear bumper or rear corners. Other common blind spots are located around the glass on the car windscreen or windows.
Thousands of collisions occur each year due to blind spots, which are responsible for lane-changing accidents, reversing accidents and side-swipe accidents. These kinds of accidents can be avoided by passing quickly through blind spots, consistent mirror-checking and looking in blind spots before changing lanes or turning, and strategically positioning yourself to ensure other drivers can see you.
Whenever you’re operating a vehicle, it’s critical to survey your surroundings at all times, being aware of ever-changing circumstances on the road. Staying alert to the entire road environment can help avoid accidents with erratic or reckless drivers.
Avoiding Risky Driving Behaviors
Distracted driving kills nine people every day in the United States, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Thankfully, that statistic is totally reversible if drivers focus solely on the road when they’re driving. Limiting distractions is a critical strategy in avoiding collisions with uninsured motorists. Common distractions like cell phones, eating or drinking, applying makeup, texting and adjusting one’s GPS while driving all pull attention from the road. The NSC reports that 1.6 million crashes are caused each year due to drivers using cell phones and texting alone.
We can all make the roads safer by setting GPS and playlists before driving, using hands-free devices, and putting phones on Do Not Disturb mode. In addition, pulling off to the side of the road to eat or drink is always a good idea.
As always, it’s important to obey speed limits, as speeding reduces reaction time and control, increases the risk of collisions. In addition, adapting to road and weather conditions is critical. Adjust your speed for wet, icy or poorly lit roads, as uninsured drivers might be less prepared for challenging conditions. Finally, it’s important to use caution at intersections, where there is a higher accident risk due to blind turns, pedestrians, cyclists and cross traffic. The best approach at a 4-way stop is caution, which includes looking both ways before proceeding, even on green lights, and never speeding through yellow lights.
Recognize Signs of Uninsured or Dangerous Drivers
It’s important to pay attention to behavioral warning signs from other drivers when on the road. It’s often possible to read signs that a driver might be uninsured, impaired or inexperienced, such as erratic lane changes, tailgating, or hesitation at intersections. If you notice unusual driving behavior, maintain distance from risky drivers. Increase your distance from the party in question by changing lanes to stay clear of aggressive or unpredictable drivers.
What to Do After a Potential Uninsured Motorist Accident
As long as there are vehicles on our roadways, there will be accidents. If you should find yourself in an uninsured motorist accident, it’s important to stay calm and assess the situation. Keeping a clear head will help you make better decisions in the aftermath of an accident.
An assessment of damage should include a determination if there are injuries to any party involved. If so, a call should be placed to 911 immediately. In general, collecting information after an accident is critical. Details to collect should include driver’s license and contact information, license plate numbers, and details about the incident. Take photos of the scene, if possible. If there are witnesses who saw the accident, it’s important to collect their information as well.
Even if there appear to be no serious injuries after an accident, the police should be contacted promptly so they can interview the parties involved and create a formal police report. In addition, notify the insurance company quickly to ensure they handle the claim efficiently and help assess UM/UIM coverage options if necessary.
When to Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
Although it’s not always necessary to consult with or hire a personal injury lawyer, there are situations where legal advice is helpful. A personal injury lawyer may be needed in cases of injury, significant vehicle damage, or if you’re having a hard time getting compensated through your insurance company. An experienced personal injury law firm, such as Abeyta Nelson Injury Law, can help navigate claims and maximize potential compensation, especially those involving uninsured motorist claims.
The best accident is the one that never happens. Prevention is key, and defensive driving and a sense of general awareness of the road is critical to reduce the risk of getting into an accident. Reducing distractions while driving and taking precautions can greatly improve safety and minimize financial damage if an accident occurs.
If you do get into a collision with an uninsured driver, be sure to remain calm, make visual notes of your surroundings and assess any injuries. First call the police, and then your insurance company to make a claim. Finally, if you have any questions or are unsatisfied with the insurance claims process, consider a consultation with a personal injury attorney experienced in handling uninsured motorist claims. The sooner you make contact, the sooner you’ll be able to recover physically, mentally and financially from the accident. Contact Abeyta Nelson Injury Law today for a free consultation to discuss your case.