Both trial lawyers and insurers tried to put a human face on their positions for against legislation that would increase the minimum amount of auto insurance Maryland vehicles owners must carry.
The lawyers brought out three auto crash victims whose medical bills were not covered by minimum policies with liability limits of $20,000 person and $40,000 per crash. Insurers rallied support from groups that advocate for low-income people, aruging that the poor couldn't afford the higher premiums that would result.
"We are seriously concerned about what this will do to the most vulnerable people in the state," said Melissa Broome of the Job Opportunities Task Force.
But trial lawyer Frank Boston said 90 percent of his clients who are injured in auto crashes are also low-income people.
The minimum insurance levels have not been changed in 38 years.