What You Need to Know About Uninsured Motorists

Car accidents are inherently stressful, but getting hit by an uninsured motorist adds layers of complexities to the civil claims process that follows. While car insurance is required, “about 13 percent of drivers do not carry auto insurance even though they drive regularly,” according to the National Law Review. This can be because of a lapse in coverage or individuals choosing not to carry insurance because of the cost.

Steps to Take after an Accident

Certain steps should always be taken after an accident, regardless of whether the at-fault driver is insured or uninsured.

Call the Police

Failing to file a report could result in the inability to receive compensation for the accident, so rnit is crucial to call the police, and file a report after being involved in a car accident. Law enforcement will collect all the necessary information, including photo evidence and the liable party’s contact t information. The police report will also provide a record of the collision.

Do Not Accept Liability for the Accident

Do not make incriminating statements or go into unnecessary details when speaking to the police. It is especially important to avoid saying statements such as, “I’m sorry about this,” as this could be taken as an admission of guilt. Be honest when talking about what happened, but do not inadvertently accept liability.

Seek Medical Attention

Untreated injuries can become serious without immediate medical treatment. Adrenaline can make a person feel fine, and injuries may be left untreated as a result. Treatment should be sought immediately after an auto accident.

Call the Insurance Companies

If the car sustained damage, or physical injuries occurred as a result of the crash, it is important to call the relevant insurance companies (i.e. auto and health insurance providers). You can even have them call each other to ensure transparency of the accident; however, be sure to have a lawyer on your side. If an attorney is not present for these phone calls, it is important to be cautious when speaking, as the insurance agency cares more about their bottom line than actually helping their policyholders.

Obtaining Compensation

Victims of car accidents can suffer many different types of damages, ranging from traumatic brain injuries to broken bones, which can lead to substantial medical bills. There are several options for obtaining compensation to recover medical costs.

Personal Injury Protection Insurance

A few states have no-fault laws regarding car accidents, meaning each driver pays their medical bills up to their policy limit regardless of which driver caused the collision. This coverage can pay for multiple losses, but it may not be enough to cover all damages in major accidents. Fortunately, there are other ways to obtain compensation.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage offers protection for people involved in accidents caused by uninsured drivers. While not all states require coverage, uninsured motorist coverage could provide you with compensation for damage to your vehicle as well as any injuries sustained in the accident if the other party doesn’t have insurance.

Civil Lawsuit

To recover full compensation for accident-related injuries, it might be necessary to file a civil lawsuit. Uninsured drivers might not have sufficient funds to cover their damages, but a lawsuit allows a person to file a claim against any other relevant parties. An experienced attorney could investigate and determine if any other parties contributed to the accident.