What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured?

In Iowa, if an at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, the driver who was injured in the bicycle accident may either pursue a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver, or they may turn to their own insurance company. If the injured party has uninsured motorist protection coverage—which is optional coverage that anyone with auto insurance can add to their policy—their own insurance company will cover their damages. This is referred to as “UM” or uninsured motorist coverage. UM coverage will cover the damages sustained in the bicycle accident up to the limits of the policy, but will not exceed the policy limits. If the injured party’s damages exceed the limits of the UM coverage, they may still pursue a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver. It is important to note that many at-fault drivers are not always able to pay for the damages they cause in an accident, so even if the injured party decides to sue, they may not actually receive compensation for their losses. For this reason, UM coverage is often a worthwhile investment, as it will provide the injured party with at least some coverage in the event of an accident, even if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

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What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured?

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