[DungeonMaster]

When you smack into him, you should have to pay for his loss. But, too many people (the "poooor" especially) were choosing not to be insured; then, when they smacked into people, their victims were left to sue for damages or, cover their own losses, either out of their own pockets or, if they had collision insurance, by filing a claim of their own (which caused their and others' premiums to increase).

So my next question is "Can/does the state force you to have bodily injury insurance on yourself?"

[newgeezer]

So my next question is "Can/does the state force you to have bodily injury insurance on yourself?"

For auto insurance? No. In fact, I don't think it's possible to buy auto insurance to cover your own injuries when you're at fault. ("No-fault" states may be different; I have no idea.)