Smiley Law - January 2019

DO YOU HAVE ‘FULL COVERAGE’? The Benefits of UM Insurance

If you aren’t an insurance professional or in the legal field, you might not be familiar with uninsured motorist (UM) insurance coverage and how beneficial it can be for you and your family. A large portion of the population claims to have “full coverage,” assuming that that includes UM insurance. But in most cases, those who believe they have full coverage only have the minimum liability coverage required by the state in which they live. What’s even worse is that there are many drivers out there who intentionally operate a vehicle without any type of insurance at all. In Louisiana, for example, current law requires drivers to maintain insurance coverage for bodily injury liability. The minimum amount is $15,000 per injured party, $30,000 per accident (when more than one person is injured in the accident), and $25,000 for property damage. These minimums may be referred to as “full coverage” even though they are clearly not always capable of covering all bills. This means that the insurance belonging to the negligent driver can’t compensate the injured party for all of their medical treatments, lost wages, or pain and suffering. The negligent driver is then tasked with coming up with the money out of pocket, a responsibility that often can’t be met. For this reason, our team here at Smiley Law Firm encourages all Louisiana drivers to invest in UM insurance to be as prepared as possible while on the road. It is estimated that approximately 13 percent of motorists on Louisiana highways are uninsured, which

presents a major threat to all drivers. UM insurance can offer you peace of mind knowing that if you are in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, your own insurance can help foot the bill if the other driver’s policy is insufficient. Additionally, UM insurance can help with hit-and-run accidents when the responsible party flees the scene, and it provides protection for covered drivers even if they are struck by a car as a pedestrian. While many people don’t have UM insurance as part of their plans, its benefits make it a necessity. If you have any other questions about these benefits or the protection UM insurance can provide, don’t hesitate to give our office a call!

CITRUS AND AVOCADO SALAD

TAKE A BREAK

Ingredients

• 1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 bunch arugula • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves • 1 avocado, cut into wedges • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil,

season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.

Inspired by Bon Appétit

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