Not everyone has the legal right to drive. People have to secure licenses by passing a test. They also need to register and insure their vehicles to legally drive on public roads.
Liability insurance coverage helps take the economic risk out of operating a motor vehicle, as the costs a person generates if they cause a crash could far exceed the resources and income they have available. Insurance also helps protect those affected by a crash. It can pay to repair their vehicles, cover their medical expenses and offset their lost wages.
If the driver at fault for a crash doesn’t have proper insurance, that can cause major issues. What are the odds of an uninsured driver causing a crash?
Roughly one in eight drivers lacks proper coverage
Many people gamble with their long-term financial stability by choosing not to carry the insurance that the law requires. They hope that they can avoid getting caught or causing any uncovered losses. However, uninsured drivers cause a significant portion of the collisions reported every year.
Maryland has a relatively high percentage of uninsured drivers, at least based on claims data from 2023. The state has the 14th highest rate of uninsured drivers, with roughly 16.9% of motorists lacking the mandatory coverage.
When an uninsured driver causes a crash, the people affected may need to use their own uninsured driver coverage. If they do not have that supplemental coverage or if the losses are excessive, then the party affected by the collision may need to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Learning more about the risk factors that can complicate compensation claims after motor vehicle collisions can be beneficial for all drivers. Anyone dealing with the aftermath of a crash caused by an uninsured motorist may require support as they pursue compensation.