How often do uninsured drivers cause crashes in Louisiana?

After a car crash, you and the other driver will exchange insurance information even before the police arrive to start their investigation. That way, you have the policy details for when you make a claim for the repairs to your vehicle or the medical care you require.

Once the police assign fault for the crash, you can then start a claim against the other driver’s coverage. After all, in Louisiana, the driver who causes the crash is the one whose policy pays. Unfortunately, you could find yourself in a situation where the person who causes your crash does not have insurance on their vehicle.

How likely are you to encounter an uninsured driver in Louisiana?

More than one in 10 drivers don’t carry insurance

It is a legal requirement for those with registered cars in Louisiana to pay for insurance on their vehicles. Still, plenty of people let their insurance policy lapse or even intentionally cancel their coverage.

When it comes to uninsured driving rates, Louisiana falls right in the middle, at 26th in the nation. There are 25 states with more uninsured drivers. Overall, researchers estimate that 11.7% of drivers don’t carry active insurance on their vehicles.

Obviously, you’re more likely to get into a crash with a driver who has insurance than one that does not, but the risk is not one you should ignore. What happens when a driver doesn’t have insurance coverage?

You still have rights when a driver doesn’t follow the law

While some people don’t carry insurance on their vehicles or buy the lowest amount of coverage possible, many other drivers invest in more comprehensive insurance policies. If you pay for uninsured and underinsured driver protection, that coverage will potentially protect you after a crash with an uninsured driver.

Of course, making a claim against your own policy will likely increase your costs in the future. You may decide that you would prefer to file a civil lawsuit against the other driver. They may be personally liable for your financial losses if they don’t have adequate insurance to reimburse you for the damage caused by the crash.

Understanding the basics of car insurance coverage after a Louisiana crash can help you get the compensation you deserve.