You (and everyone in your family) need uninsured motorist coverage. If you’re like most people, you will be shocked to learn that up to 25% of all drivers do not have auto insurance. And, yes, auto insurance is required by state law. This means, not only that up to 25% of all drivers on the roadways with you are breaking the law, but if they cause an accident, they don’t have the means to pay for it. And, if you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, you likely won’t be able to pay for your medical care, wage loss, and property damage either.
This is why you need uninsured motorist coverage. Your own coverage pays for the damages caused by an uninsured motorist, up to your coverage limits. To be able to use your own uninsured motorist coverage the other driver must have caused the accident and be uninsured.
When purchasing uninsured motorist coverage, don’t skimp. You’re really purchasing protection for yourself, not someone else. The Law Offices of d’Oliveira and Associates are prepared to help if you or a loved one has been injured by an uninsured motorist.
Who is an uninsured motorist?
A motorist who either has no insurance or is a hit and run driver (i.e. unidentified driver) is an uninsured motorist.
What if the motorist has some insurance, but not enough to pay all applicable damages?
A motorist who has some, but not enough insurance, is an underinsured motorist. You need this kind of coverage too: Underinsured motorist coverage. In this case, the motorist has insurance, but the insurance doesn’t cover the all of the damages caused by the motorist. Those additional damages are covered by your underinsured motorist coverage. Again, don’t skimp. This is coverage for your own losses.
Damages covered by uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Damages to your car
Can’t I just sue the other driver? He caused my injuries.
Well, if the other driver is a hit and run driver that is not identified, there is no one to sue. And, even if the driver is identified and sued, if he doesn’t have insurance, he likely doesn’t have anything to attach in a lawsuit. In other words, he’s likely broke and there’s no point in suing.
Rhode Island law
All Rhode Island resident drivers are required to have both liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Massachusetts law
All Massachusetts resident drivers are required to have liability coverage. However, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is NOT required. It’s an option.
Your insurance company is not your friend!
Regardless of the friendly television advertisements on TV, insurance companies are NOT your friend. Even your own insurance company is NOT your friend. They have one goal and that’s simply to make money. This means that they will seek to pay you the lowest amount of money possible to make you go away.
You need a legal team to ensure that you receive all the compensation that you pay for and need. We know how to handle insurance companies and their tricky tactics. And, we work within the legal, medical, and insurance systems.
Where to get help
Call the Law Offices of d’Oliveira & Associates now. Our lawyers represent families just like yours. We will work aggressively to assert your rights and get you the compensation you and your family need and deserve. Email us or call now for FREE case evaluation. For your convenience, our telephones are answered 24 hours a day and 7 days a week (1-800-992-6878).
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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