Illinois Law Regarding Uninsured Motorists
Under the state's Safety and Family Financial Responsibility Law, motorists are required to maintain insurance with minimum limits for bodily injury or death and property damage.

November 18, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Illinois Law Regarding Uninsured Motorists

Car crashes can cause life-altering problems for a family. Countless medical appointments, time lost from work and other unforeseen expenses can take a bite out of an already economy-tightened budget. These expenses mean having adequate motor vehicle coverage is essential. Unfortunately, not everyone has insurance or adequate protection. And while the high number of uninsured and underinsured motorists nationwide is startling, the problem is even worse in Illinois.

According to the Insurance Research Council, approximately one in seven Americans do not have motor vehicle insurance coverage. The IRC's study compared the number of uninsured motorist claims versus the number of bodily injury claims for the years 2008 and 2009. The non-profit division of the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters and the Insurance Institute of America notes declines in uninsured motorists for four straight years. Still, approximately 15 percent of Illinois drivers (or about one in six) are estimated to be without auto insurance coverage.

Illinois, like all states, mandates insurance coverage for all drivers. Most states have stiff fines and other penalties for those who do not, and Illinois is no exception. Under the state's Safety and Family Financial Responsibility Law, motorists are required to maintain insurance with minimum limits for bodily injury or death and property damage. However, many times these limits do not cover the extent of the damage. Those injured by such an underinsured driver must pursue other avenues than the at-fault driver's insurance to recover full costs.

Fortunately, the law provides that insurers must offer their policyholders uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage provides the insurance holder with coverage for damage caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, up to a specified amount of damages.

The IRC believes that the non-compliance with UM laws is linked to unfortunate circumstances, like the economic downturn. However, for those who are merely trying to save money yet negligently cause an accident, there is a penalty: operators who are underinsured are left personally liable for another's property damage, personal injury and related losses -- and may lose assets to a driver they have injured in a lawsuit.

If you have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact an attorney familiar with Illinois uninsured car accidents. Having the help of an experienced attorney can help accident victims restore their lives.

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