In Arizona, drivers must have automobile insurance in order to lawfully drive a motor vehicle. Many people do not know that the minimal amount of insurance a person must carry is $15,000/$30,000. What this means is that if a driver with minimum limits strikes a vehicle causing an injury to a single person, the total amount of insurance available to that injured person is “$15,000!” What is even worse is that if there is more than one person injured in that same scenario, all the injured people making claims against the negligent driver are limited to a total amount of $30,000.

Those amounts include reimbursement for all medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

So, if you are seriously injured in an automobile accident and incur medical expenses over $15,000 alone, there is no money available to compensate you for your lost wages, pain and suffering and you will also have to come up with out-of-pocket monies for the additional medical expenses you have incurred over the $15,000.

You can protect yourself against such a scenario by carrying “under-insured motorist coverage” which will compensate you for damages in situations where the negligent driver's limits are not enough.

We suggest that you review your automobile insurance coverage to make sure that you have adequate protection. You may also want to speak with your insurance agent regarding “med-pay coverage,” which would help pay for your medical expenses if you are involved in an automobile accident.

Other tips to remember in case you are in an accident are:

Makes sure that a police report is taken
Get names and phone numbers of all witnesses
Take photographs of the vehicle damage
If injured – seek immediate medical treatment

At Hymson Goldstein & Pantiliat, P.C., we have represented hundreds of injured people over the years and helped them recover for their losses caused by an “unpredicted event.” We stand ready to do the same for you, your family members, or anyone who may need our services.