I try to keep the weekly KellyGram a balance between legal information and whatever happens to be on Mike Kelly’s mind at the time, LOL! I’m honored to say that my client base is numbered in the thousands, and it has been driven home to me in the last several weeks that, if there is one simple legal tip that folks need to hear from me, it is this:

Check your auto insurance policies and make sure you have sufficient uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage!

Car accidents can have catastrophic consequences—from life-altering injuries to the loss of a loved one. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping countless clients obtain a fair recovery after suffering these types of injuries. Unfortunately, though, I have also had to deliver heart-breaking news to too many accident victims: that their medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses far exceed the amount of insurance carried by the driver who hit them. When they’ve declined to purchase underinsured motorist coverage, these individuals can find themselves facing a heavy financial burden on top of their physical and emotional injuries.

Please check your policies to make sure you have adequate uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance; it is the best way to protect yourself from ending up in this situation. The coverage is inexpensive and needs to be on every one of your automobiles. I hope it will never become necessary to use it, but if it does, you’ll be glad you had this protection in place. A tip from your lawyer, Mike Kelly!