Finding out the driver who caused your crash doesn’t carry enough insurance is one of the most frustrating moments after an accident. You already suffered injuries, missed days of work and dealt with the stress of recovery. Now you face growing medical bills with no clear way to cover them. The situation feels deeply unfair. But knowing your options can help you take the right steps forward.
Oklahoma’s at-fault rules and their limits
To understand where you stand, it helps to know how Oklahoma handles accident claims. Oklahoma follows at-fault insurance rules. This means the driver responsible for your crash must cover your medical bills and lost wages. Their insurance policy should handle these costs.
In reality, though, many drivers carry only the state’s minimum required coverage. Oklahoma law requires drivers to carry just at least $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage. When your medical expenses exceed that limit, you can quickly end up with unpaid bills.
How underinsured motorist coverage fills the gap
Fortunately, a coverage option exists for exactly this situation. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is an optional add-on to your own auto insurance policy. When the at-fault driver’s coverage isn’t enough, your UIM coverage can step in to help pay the remaining costs.
For instance, if your medical bills total $60,000 but the at-fault driver’s policy only covers $25,000, your UIM coverage can help bridge that gap. You can add this protection when you buy or renew your auto insurance policy in Oklahoma. Hence, having UIM coverage in place before an accident can make a significant difference.
Protect your rights on the road
After a serious crash, you deserve to focus on healing, not on fighting for the compensation you need. Oklahoma drivers have rights and understanding those rights is key to making informed decisions after an accident.
