Nationwide Mutual Insurance v. Aetna Life & Casualty Co.

BRANCH, Justice.

The primary purpose of the Motor Vehicle and Financial Responsibility Act of 1953, Article 9A, Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is to compensate the innocent victims of financially irresponsible motorists. The victim’s right to recover against the insurer is not derived through the insured, as in cases of voluntary insurance, but under this Act his right to recover is statutory and becomes absolute upon occurrence of an injury covered by the policy. G.S. 20-279.21 (f) (1); Jones v. Insurance Co., 270 N.C. 454, 155 S.E. 2d 118; Insurance Co. v. Roberts, 261 N.C. 285, 134 S.E.…