Tennessee Injury Law Center
Recent data suggests that 24% of Tennessee drivers do not have liability insurance on their vehicle.
Liability insurance exists to make monetary payments to those who are injured as a result of a negligent error by a person who has the insurance. Tennessee state law requires every driver to have liability insurance, but it appears that almost 1 out of 4 drivers is violating this law.
What does this mean? It means that if you are in an automobile accident that is not your fault you will have to bear financial responsibility for your medical bills and loss of income unless the at-fault party happens to have personal financial resources. You will also receive no payment for any pain, suffering, disfigurement or loss of enjoyment of life you experience in the accident.
How do you protect yourself? Purchase uninsured / underinsured motorist insurance coverage on your vehicle. This type of insurance is quite inexpensive and it protects you from (a) at-fault drivers who have no liability insurance and (b) at-fault drivers who have some liability insurance but not enough to pay for your medical bills, lost income and other damages arising from a car wreck.
Under Tennessee law, you automatically purchase uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage in an amount equal to your liability insurance coverage unless you sign a document indicating that you want reduced or no uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage. As Nashville and Middle Tennessee car accident lawyer I would never recommend reducing or waiving uninsured / underinsured motorist insurance coverage.
Look at the "declarations page" of your automobile insurance policy to determine whether you have uninsured / underinsured motorist insurance coverage and how much coverage you have. It is often described as "UM / UIM" insurance. Then, call your agent and find out how much it costs to increase your UM / UIM insurance coverage – you will be surprised how little it will cost to protect yourself from uninsured, at-fault drivers.
I have represented those injured in car and truck accidents and the families of those who have lost their lives in such accidents for over 30 years. Call me at 866-812-8787 for a free consultation about your Tennessee car accident or any other type of Tennessee personal injury case. Or, feel free to complete our Contact Form and our office will call you.