Traffic laws apply to every moment of someone’s travels. There are rules about what makes a vehicle legal to drive on Louisiana roads and who can lawfully operate a vehicle in public. People need to register their vehicles and carry insurance, and they need to maintain a valid driver’s license. Drivers also must follow state traffic laws, or they run the risk of losing their driving privileges.
If everyone followed the state’s laws related to driving, the number of crashes that occur each year would likely drop substantially. Unfortunately, plenty of people knowingly break traffic laws in Louisiana. People think nothing of violating the posted speed limit or rolling through a four-way stop.
There are also some people who may ignore the laws about financial responsibility and opt to drive without proper insurance. Does the average driver in Louisiana need to worry about other people without insurance coverage causing a wreck?
Uninsured motorists are a small but concerning minority
Most drivers in Louisiana recognize the risk that comes from driving without insurance and carry at least the liability coverage required by the state. However, there are some people who refuse or who may allow their policies to lapse due to financial hardship or oversight.
According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, Louisiana sits right in the middle of the country in terms of uninsured motorists. Louisiana ranks 26th in the country, with an estimated 11.7% of drivers operating a vehicle without active coverage. Unfortunately, such drivers do pose a noteworthy risk to others on the road.
There is slightly better than a 1-in-10 chance that the person who causes a crash won’t have insurance to pay for vehicle repairs and hospital bills.
How can people protect against uninsured drivers?
There are two means of reducing the harm caused by uninsured motorists. One is proactive and involves carrying uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to supplement liability insurance. The second involves taking a driver to court to hold them directly responsible if they cause a crash and don’t have the insurance someone requires to cover their costs.
Taking the appropriate steps after a motor vehicle collision in Louisiana can defray the costs someone incurs and can help them to hold the appropriate party responsible, regardless of whether or not that party is carrying proper insurance coverage.