Peña Boulevard Pile-up Highlights Importance of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Check your car insurance policy for uninsured motorist coverage

Colorado’s recent series of snowstorms has created a significant hazard on the roadways. When ice accumulates on the roads, accidents can happen in a split second, and all drivers should protect themselves with uninsured motorist coverage.

A few days ago, 49 cars were involved in a pile-up on Peña Boulevard – the road leading to Denver International Airport. Seventeen people sustained injuries, and 14 of those received treatment at area hospitals. Officers closed the road for more than two hours. Airport traffic had to detour along Green Valley Ranch and Tower Road.

Reminder to Carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage

While police did not issue any citations in this incident, we want the community to take this story as a wake-up call. Review your car insurance coverage. In particular, you should have enough uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to take care of medical expenses and vehicle damage in the event of an accident.

According to the most recent data, Colorado ranks 19th in the nation for the number of uninsured motorists: 13.3 percent of drivers here carry no insurance at all.

What the statistics don’t tell you is how many of the remaining drivers have insurance with minimal coverage amounts. In the case of a serious accident with multiple injuries, an underinsured driver might as well be uninsured.

Colorado requires drivers to carry insurance with minimum caps of $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident. Consider an accident with 49 vehicles, such as the one on Peña Boulevard, and you can see how quickly medical expenses would add up. Even in an accident with only one or two vehicles, medical expenses can often ring in at much higher amounts than the limits required by law.

If your injuries require a hospital stay, surgery and/or long-term treatment, expenses could total $100,000 or more after a car accident.

Recommended Car Insurance Coverage

The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association reports that financial experts recommend liability coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.

In addition, you can add uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage to your policy. We recommend opting for the highest coverage possible. This additional coverage will help protect you if you have been injured by a driver with no insurance or low coverage limits.

Finally, collision coverage will help cover your expenses in a no-fault accident. If you hit ice and slide into a guard rail, for example, a collision policy will help you recoup expenses.

As you head out in your vehicle this winter, please use caution at all times. Slow down, follow at a greater distance and know what to do if your car does skid on ice.

If you have been injured in an accident, contact us for a free case evaluation. We will help you uncover all available coverage for your injuries.