The Importance of Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Winter

 Posted on November 14, 2024 in Car Accidents

Having uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is always important, but it may be even more important during the winter months when auto accidents are more likely to occur. More than 70 percent of the nation’s roadways are located in regions that receive more than five inches of snow each year. When snow falls and ice freezes on the roads, friction and vehicle maneuverability increase the risk of automobile accidents.

Visibility is also reduced during heavy snow and sleet, making accidents more likely. Each year, about a quarter of all weather-related vehicle collisions occur when snow and ice are on the roads. More than 1,300 people are killed annually in snowy or icy road conditions, with another nearly 117,000 injured.  

If you have been involved in an accident on a snowy or icy road, you may wonder whether the other driver’s insurance will cover your damages or whether you will be stuck with the costs of your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and damage to your vehicle. This may come down to whether you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own insurance. Speaking to an experienced Plainfield, IL auto accident lawyer from Flaherty Law, LLC.

Understanding Your Insurance Coverage

Check your insurance policy to see whether you have Comprehensive and Collision coverage. If you also have uninsured/underinsured coverage, collision coverage will pay to fix your vehicle if you are involved in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Collision coverage also covers the damage to your vehicle if you are involved in a single-vehicle accident.

Single-vehicle accidents include hitting a deer or other animal or sliding into a pole or other fixed object. Your policy will list a deductible amount, which is the amount you must pay before your insurance picks up the remainder. Comprehensive coverage is for things that are commonly known as "acts of God."

This means that nobody in particular is responsible for the damage to your vehicle in instances of fire, flood, windstorms, or damage to your windshield when a rock flies up and breaks the glass. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is usually optional and often not included in the minimum liability limits required by individual states.

In the state of Illinois, you are required to have underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage if you choose the higher limits of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. Illinois law requires uninsured motorist limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. As insurance premiums continue to increase, there will likely be more and more drivers without auto insurance.

Suing a person with no auto insurance is unlikely to yield much in the way of damages since a person who cannot afford auto insurance probably will not have anything of value to attach to a lawsuit. Since uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your damages in the event of a hit-and-run accident or a winter accident caused when an uninsured driver slides into you, it is a good idea to have this coverage.

What Kinds of Accidents Occur in the Winter?

Slippery roads can cause vehicles to collide or slide off the road, perhaps hitting a fixed object. Black ice is especially dangerous since it can be impossible to see. Slippery roads also result in rear-end accidents, sliding through intersections or stop signs and spin-out collisions.

Heavy snow significantly reduces visibility, making it difficult to see even a few feet in front of you. Before winter arrives, it is also important to check tires, windshield wipers, defroster fans, headlights, and fog lights, and always keep your gas tank full.

Contact a Will County, IL Auto Accident Lawyer

If you are involved in a winter accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it can be helpful to speak to a Plainfield, IL auto accident attorney from Flaherty Law, LLC. Attorney Daniel Flaherty began his career in insurance defense litigation, representing individuals in personal injury and property damage matters. Call 815-577-7500 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your accident.