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Protecting Yourself in a Chicago Car Accident: Illinois Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Carrying the proper auto insurance coverages can protect you and your family if you're involved in a car accident in Chicago. Uninsured motorist coverage may cover car repair and medical attention if you've been involved in a hit-and-run.
September 30, 2011 /Law Enforcement PR News/ -- An estimated one of every seven drivers throughout the nation have no car insurance. Drivers that do not carry insurance, and many drivers who do, generally are not financially ready to write a check for damage caused by a car accident. From car repairs to medical bills and replacement wages, an unexpected car crash can create a large amount of unexpected expenses.
Illinois Auto Insurance Coverage Minimum Requirements
Many states carry mandatory insurance laws, requiring all motorists to carry certain auto insurance coverage. These state-mandated coverages are minimums. Drivers may choose to exceed the required coverages.
Auto accidents are all too common in Illinois, especially throughout the metro area; Chicago car accident attorneys have seen many drivers and passengers who've suffered injuries resulting in medical bills that far exceed Illinois' minimum coverage requirements.
According to the Illinois Department of Insurance, Illinois drivers must carry the following auto insurance coverage, at a minimum:
- Liability Insurance (LI): This covers bodily injury you may cause to another or to your passengers if you are involved in a car crash. At a minimum, bodily injury coverage must be at least $20,000/person/accident and $40,000 total/accident.
- Property Damage (PD): This covers any damage to property including buildings, utility poles, trees, etc. Minimum coverage of $15,000/accident is required in Illinois.
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage (UM): This covers injuries related to a hit-and-run or those caused by a driver who has no insurance. Drivers must carry a minimum of $20,000/person and $40,000/accident.
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance (UIM): This is required coverage only for those who opt for higher limits on UM coverage.
The insurance coverage briefly discussed above are the minimums required by the state of Illinois. If you've financed your car (taken out an auto loan) your lender may require additional coverage as part of your loan agreement.
Illinois Uninsured Motorist Coverage
When an accident is caused by a driver who is uninsured, the first thoughts may be that you have no options to recover expenses for any physical injuries or damage to your car. That's not necessarily true. Your own insurance, if you've included the required Illinois UM coverage as part of your policy, may cover car repairs, repairs to other property, medical expenses, lost work time and pain and suffering.
If you've been injured in a car accident because of the negligence, inattentiveness or distracted driving of another person on Illinois' roadways, you have the right to recover money for your damages. A Chicago personal injury attorney can help you understand the insurance aspects of your accident, whether the person who caused the crash has insurance and whether you have any right to compensation under your own auto insurance policy.
Article provided by Woodruff Johnsin & Palermo, Injury Law Offices
Visit us at www.woodrufflawyers.com
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