Magna Carta News
Monday, March 14, 2005
Uninsured motorists bill
Contact: Dave Bond, Media Specialist
Oklahoma House of Representatives
(405)962-7671
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Ron Peterson
Capitol: (405) 557-338
Broken Arrow: (918) 451-1548
Bill Limiting Uninsured Drivers Clears House
OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14, 2005) - Legislation limiting how much an
uninsured motorist can collect after being involved in an auto accident
was approved today by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Under House Bill 1541, by Rep. Ron Peterson, an uninsured driver
involved in an accident would be limited to medical recovery damages,
lost wages and property damages.
"In the event of an accident, an uninsured motorist will only be allowed
to recover actual damages, such as medical costs, property damage and
lost income," said Peterson, R-Broken Arrow.
The bill was amended to explicitly ban awards for "pain and suffering"
for uninsured motorists.
According to Peterson as many as one-third of Oklahoma drivers do not
carry auto liability insurance, as required by state law. He said HB
1541 would help to prevent these individuals from profiting from their
criminal behavior.
Under current law, Peterson said, an uninsured motorist involved in an
accident is allowed to fully recover against the other party, even
though not having auto insurance is a violation of Oklahoma law.
However, if the uninsured is at fault, the recovery of the other party
is limited because there is no insurance coverage, and usually the
uninsured motorist does not have any other assets to pay for damages to
the injured party.
Peterson said the concept behind the bill has been tossed back-and-forth
in the Legislature over the last few years, but has never been enacted.
"It's just a fairness bill," Peterson said. "It enforces the golden rule
in a small way, that you should provide for others as you would have
them provide for you."
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Contact: Dave Bond, Media Specialist
Oklahoma House of Representatives
(405)962-7671
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Ron Peterson
Capitol: (405) 557-338
Broken Arrow: (918) 451-1548
Bill Limiting Uninsured Drivers Clears House
OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14, 2005) - Legislation limiting how much an
uninsured motorist can collect after being involved in an auto accident
was approved today by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Under House Bill 1541, by Rep. Ron Peterson, an uninsured driver
involved in an accident would be limited to medical recovery damages,
lost wages and property damages.
"In the event of an accident, an uninsured motorist will only be allowed
to recover actual damages, such as medical costs, property damage and
lost income," said Peterson, R-Broken Arrow.
The bill was amended to explicitly ban awards for "pain and suffering"
for uninsured motorists.
According to Peterson as many as one-third of Oklahoma drivers do not
carry auto liability insurance, as required by state law. He said HB
1541 would help to prevent these individuals from profiting from their
criminal behavior.
Under current law, Peterson said, an uninsured motorist involved in an
accident is allowed to fully recover against the other party, even
though not having auto insurance is a violation of Oklahoma law.
However, if the uninsured is at fault, the recovery of the other party
is limited because there is no insurance coverage, and usually the
uninsured motorist does not have any other assets to pay for damages to
the injured party.
Peterson said the concept behind the bill has been tossed back-and-forth
in the Legislature over the last few years, but has never been enacted.
"It's just a fairness bill," Peterson said. "It enforces the golden rule
in a small way, that you should provide for others as you would have
them provide for you."
-30-
