The government leaders in localities that have chosen to legalize marijuana do have certain expectations. Their expectations reflect what is known so far, with respect to the consequences experienced, after allowing members of society to use a substance that affects the mind. Such liberal societies have been forced to introduce those practices that lower the chances for certain unwanted consequences.
Insurers have been one of the groups that have felt it wise to introduce such practices. Based on their knowledge of what insurers have done in the past, personal injury lawyers can guess at what may be coming. Those same lawyers can predict what actions insurers might take in places where marijuana has been legalized.
Insurance companies might elect to deny some statutory accident benefits
A standard insurance policy will cover any injuries to the person that might be responsible for an accident. If the policy holder has paid for statutory accident benefits, those cover more than the medical expenses. Those cover things like income replacement and non-earner benefits.
In the past, insurance companies have tended to deny such statutory benefits to those drivers that had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of a car accident. That practice might now be extended to those that have chosen to drive while under marijuana’s influence.
Insurance companies could place other limitations on coverage
Insurers do have to cover the medical expenses for any policy holder that gets injured in an automobile accident. Some policy holders pay for more extensive coverage. That added coverage allows them to be compensated for damage to a car, van, small truck or SUV. It helps to have a personal injury lawyer in Georgetown in your corner.
Insurers can now write into a policy refusal to cover damages to the vehicle driven by a driver that got charged with DUI. In the future, insurers might decide to refuse to cover damages suffered by a vehicle that had been driven by someone that had come under the influence of marijuana. Both alcohol and THC (marijuana) keep a driver from maintaining control of a motored vehicle.
Insurance companies could call for huge increases in premiums
Right now such companies do place huge increases on the premiums charged any policy holder that has been convicted of impaired driving. In the past that has always meant driving while intoxicated. It could now mean driving after using marijuana, as well.
It should be noted that the rate increases used in the past have been substantial. Frequently, the convicted policy holder can no longer afford what has become an astonishingly expensive insurance policy. It remains to be seen if any THC users would have the sort of financial resources that would allow them to pay for such an expense.