DThose who collide with animals on the freeway often ask whether or not Un-Insured Motorist Coverage or Underinsured Motorist Coverage applies to them. This is a somewhat complicated question, as animals as not all insurance plans cover things like hitting animals, even though the collision with the said animal is not always at the fault of the driver. There are some nuances to this ruling and requires an expanded description to cover the subject fully.
What is Un-Insured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage?
Un-Insured motorist and Underinsured Motorist insurance, often abbreviated as UIM and UM, protects drivers for some varying situations. There is no guarantee that these aspects of coverage exist in all plans. However, it is still incredibly helpful to understand how they work in regards to contact with animal collisions.
For starters, Uninsured motorist coverage protects drivers if they are in an accident where the at-fault driver doesn’t carry liability insurance. To define further, liability insurance is typically a part of a general insurance system used by the purchaser to protect them from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It also protects the insured individual if they are sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy.
Underinsured motorist coverage meanwhile, is applied when a driver is in an accident wherein the at-fault driver has liability limits that are too low to cover the damages, which include things like medical expenses, and a loss of wages.
To put it simply, uninsured coverage is insurance coverage used when you get into an accident with another person who doesn’t have car insurance, while underinsured motorist coverage is used when the at-fault driver’s insurance plan cannot cover all of the damages you have experienced. Regarding this article, both are true when you hit an animal on the freeway.
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How Does Un-Insured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Apply To Animal Collisions
In certain areas, animals pose a natural hazard to motorists and can result in some truly traumatic accidents. The injuries caused by these accidents can be no different than those caused by any other motor accident. In cases where you swerve out of the way of an animal, and collide with another object, more than likely your insurance company will help cover the damages. This only applies when you make no contact with the animal, this can include situations wherein you swerve out of the way and collide with another car, collide with an object, or roll your vehicle. All of these instances would fall under collision coverage for more auto insurance plans. However, this is not the case when you make contact with an animal on the road.
Based on a report made by State Farm Insurance Group, roughly 1.23 million car accidents involving deer occurred between July 1st, 2011, and June 30th, 2012. These numbers don’t even include collisions with other animals. So it is fair to say this question regarding UIM and UM coverage of animal collisions comes up more often than many might think. This kind of accidents can occur in wooded areas, or any area with an abundance of large wildlife. Unfortunately, when you make contact with an animal with your car, there is only one driver to cover the expenses; you. Those with comprehensive coverage could find their damages paid for by their insurance plan. However, those without could be stuck with the full extent of the financial damages. Comprehensive coverage typically covers damages from collisions with other objects beside vehicles and can include things like:
- Theft
- Fire
- Vandalism
- “Acts of God” like damage caused by hail or flooding
- Collisions with animal wildlife.
So, to answer the question posed at the start of this article, no, Uninsured and Underinsured coverage plans do not cover your damages when you collide with a deer or other animal. For this reason, it is incredibly important that you know what to do to avoid being involved in an animal collision. Some of these precautionary tips include:
- Deer tend to be most active at dusk and dawn, so it is wise to stay alert during these hours
- The highest number of accidents with deer and other wildlife occur during October and November. So it is wise to be especially aware of other animals on the road during this two month period.
- When you spot deer crossing or other animal crossing signs lower your speed.
Unfortunately, even following these precautionary steps will not guarantee that you avoid hitting a deer or other animal on the road. If you have comprehensive coverage by your insurance provider, you shouldn’t have to worry about seeking coverage for your damages. However, those without could be left with the full extent of the damages caused by the animal collision. If you or a loved one have experienced a collision with an animal in your automobile but don’t have appropriate insurance, or are being refused coverage from your insurance provider, you may be able to collect compensation through the pursuit of a lawsuit. However, when filing a lawsuit, it is, in your best interest to seek representation from an attorney experienced in handling cases of this nature.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
Having the right attorney on your side can mean the difference between collecting adequate compensation from your insurance company and facing the full extent of the damages caused by your animal collision accident. At Normandie Law Firm, our well-versed personal injury and automobile accident attorneys can guide you through the often difficult process of building a case, filing a claim, and collecting compensation for your damages. Those who file their lawsuit with our firm could find some if not all of the following damages compensable to them:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses
- Loss of Income
- Loss of potential future income
- Emotional Damages (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc…)
- Punitive Damages
Victims of animal collisions on the road, who are not receiving coverage for their damages can contact our law firm for more information on how to seek compensation for their damages. You should not have to face the damages caused by a collision with an animal on the road alone. With the help of our firm, you could receive the resources you require and deserve to make a full recovery. While we are based in Los Angeles, our lawyers also practice in in San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento and throughout the state of California.
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Other attorneys will sign you up to their firm but will disappear once your name is on the paper as they are busy signing up more cases. In these instances, their business is based more on volume and will attempt to sign up as many cases as possible. In turn, they will spend less time on cases resulting in severely reduced settlements. Our firm will not treat you like a number. We will be in communication with you throughout our lawsuit and will treat you like family. So if you already have an attorney don’t worry, we’ll give you a second review of your case 100% free of charge.
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If you contact our law offices today, we can walk you through the complicated process of filing your claim completely free of charge. As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Please, feel free to give us a call, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
