Some drivers in Louisiana are safer than other others. Safe drivers try to follow the speed limits, signal all their turns, check their blind spots before turning, obey the traffic control signs and signals and do everything they can to avoid accidents.
However, even the safest drivers could find themselves in a motor vehicle accident. This is because they cannot control or predict the actions of the other drivers and sometimes other drivers’ actions make it impossible to avoid an accident.
That is why every driver in Louisiana is required to have liability insurance. This is insurance that pays for damages caused by the at-fault driver. The required minimum limits for this insurance can be relatively low though and do not always cover all the damages caused by the accident. For this reason, there are other types of insurance policies people can pay for to help protect themselves.
Car insurance policies beyond the required liability insurance
Some common automobile insurance policies, in addition to liability insurance, are:
- Collision insurance: This pays for damages to people’s own vehicles regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This pays for the damages and medical costs that are not covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Some drivers do not have any insurance and some may only have the lowest required limits, which may not cover all of the damages depending on the severity of the accident. This insurance may also pay for damages caused by a hit-and-run accident in certain circumstances.
- Comprehensive: This pays for damages to people’s vehicles caused by something other than a motor vehicle accident such as falling objects or theft
- Medical payments: This pays for the medical payments people and their passengers incur regardless of who is at fault for the accident. These policies usually are for a specified period of time after the accident and have dollar limits as well.
No one in Louisiana wants to be in a motor vehicle accident, but there is a chance they will be in one almost every time they drive. If they are in a motor vehicle accident, it is important that they are made whole again.
This is often accomplished through the various insurance policies that the drivers involved in the accident have purchased. Experienced attorneys understand the various types of insurance policies and know how to ensure that people’s damages are fully paid. Consulting with one after an accident could be beneficial.