Many automobile accidents result in minor injuries. However, some accidents, especially motorcycle accidents, can result in serious injuries or even death. If you or the at fault party don't have enough insurance coverage, you may not be able to receive full compensation for your injuries. Without sufficient coverage, your standard of living could be substantially changed. Unisured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage can help protect and compensate you in the event of a car accident.
Nebraska law requires that all motorists carry automobile liability insurance. Unfortunately, not everyone follows the law. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you will not be able to recover anything unless the motorist has personal assets you can collect. But most motorists who fail to carry automobile insurance don't have assets to collect on.
Even if the negligent driver does carry insurance, the policy limits may not be sufficient to compensate you for your injuries and other losses. Nebraska law only requires a driver to carry policy limits of $25,000/$50,000 ($25,0000 per person and $50,000 per accident). In serious accidents, an injured persons injuries and damages are often more than $25,000. While Nebraska law does allow for drivers to carry higher limits, not all drivers do.
If you are seriously injured in a car accident and your damages are more than the negligent driver's policy limits, you can claim against your own underinsured coverage. The policy limits required by Nebraska law for UM and UIM cover are the same as bodily injury limits, $25,000 and $50,000. Although, you can choose to obtain higher UM and UIM policy limits.
Obtaining UM and UIM coverage above the minimums required by Nebraska law can help protect you in the event you are in a serious automobile accident that you are not at fault for. Insurance carries in Nebraska are required to offer coverage of $100,000/$300,000, but many insurance carriers offer higher limits. Although, even coverage at these amounts may not fully compensate you in the event of a serious accident.
You may also be able to purchase "umbrella" insurance, which is a separate insurance policy that can provide you with an additional layer of protection. If you decide to obtain an umbrella policy, be sure to find out what the policy will cover. Some policies will only provide coverage if you are at fault and will not cover you if you are the victim of another driver's negligence. To provide you with the most protection possible in the event of an accident, be sure to obtain an umbrella policy that provides for UM and UIM coverage, no matter who is at fault.
While most accidents result in relatively minor injuries, if you are involved in a serious accident, you may not be fully compensated if you don't have adequate insurance to protect you. Obtaining the highest UM and UIM policy limits you can afford can help protect you in the event you are injured as a result of another driver's negligence. An umbrella policy may also be able to provide you with another layer of protection. If you decide to obtain an umbrella policy, be sure to check with your agent to find out whether the policy provides UM and UIM coverage if you are the victim of another driver's negligent actions.
Contact accident attorney Stephanie Flynn, or call (402) 325-8469, if you've been injured in a car accident due to another person's negligence. Stephanie Flynn Law does not sell insurance and all policies are different. This information is only intended as general aide. Please see our disclaimer for further information.
