Car Accidents: When The Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance
When you’re hit by another driver, your only consolation is that they will be responsible for the injuries you’ve suffered. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse when you discover that the driver had no insurance, or not enough to cover the damages in total.
What do you do in these circumstances? How can you collect the money you desperately need to pay for your mounting medical bills, mortgage, and utilities, not to mention eating? Explore how to get paid when you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, and how a car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your personal injury lawsuit.
When the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance
What many people don’t realize is that there are limits to what a car insurance company will pay for an accident. If the other driver who hit you has insurance coverage of up to $100,000, for example, that’s the maximum it will pay, even if the courts deem your personal injury claim is worth $250,000. Technically, the at fault party is still on the hook for the rest of the money, but if they don’t have it, they can’t give it to you.
So what do you do in these cases? You can turn to your own insurance policy if you have the right kind of coverage, or you can try to work out payment arrangements with the other party.
What Happens In A Car Accident When The Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Notifying your insurance company about the uninsured driver is an important step after a car accident. You should provide your insurance company with all the details of the accident with an uninsured person, including the other driver’s contact information. You should also be prepared to provide proof of your own insurance coverage. The insurance company may be able to provide you with coverage for damages caused by the uninsured driver, depending on the circumstances.
Filing And Getting A Copy Of The Police Report
Filing a police report and requesting a copy of the report is also important after a car accident with an uninsured driver. This will provide you with an official record of the accident and any damages that may have been caused. It can also be used as evidence in any legal action you may take against the uninsured driver.
Gathering Medical Records
Gathering medical records including medical treatment and bills is also important if you sustained any injuries as a result of the accident. This will be useful in determining the extent of the damages and any compensation you may be entitled to.
Consulting A Personal Injury Attorney
Finally, consulting with a personal injury attorney is an important step in any car accident involving an uninsured driver. Many attorneys offer a free case evaluation if you’re involved in an accident. An experienced attorney can advise you of your legal rights and any action you can take against the uninsured or underinsured driver. They can also help to ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Filing Lawsuits Against Uninsured Drivers
When filing a lawsuit against an uninsured driver, a personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable legal advice and assistance. They can help to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to under the law. They can also advise you on the best course of action to take in order to maximize your chances of success.
A personal injury lawyer can help to assess the details of the accident and determine whether or not you are eligible to file an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company. They can also advise you on the best way to proceed and what type of evidence you need to provide in order to prove liability.
An attorney can help to negotiate a settlement with the uninsured driver and/or their insurance company. They can also help to ensure that they pay damages for injuries you have suffered are accounted for and that any medical bills or other expenses you have incurred as a result of the accident are covered.
A personal injury lawyer can help to explain the process of filing a lawsuit against an uninsured driver. They can advise you on the legal requirements, the timeline, and the potential outcomes of the case. This can help to ensure that you understand the process and that your case is handled correctly.
Exchanging Information
Exchange contact information and auto insurance information with the other driver is a critical step after a car accident. If the at fault party is uninsured, it is essential to make sure you obtain their contact and insurance information. This is important for several reasons. You need to notify your insurance company of the other driver’s uninsured status so that they can provide you with the uninsured motorist coverage you need.
Your insurance company will need the other driver’s information in order to investigate the accident and determine who was at fault. If you decide to pursue legal action against the uninsured driver, you will need their information in order to contact them.
A car accident lawyer can help you assess your options and provide legal advice on how to proceed. Exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver after a car accident is an important step to take, especially if the other driver is uninsured.
Taking Photographs At The Scene
Taking photos of the accident scene and any damage to the vehicles is a crucial step in the aftermath of a car accident. Having photographic evidence can help establish who was at fault and provide documentation for insurance companies and car accident lawyers.
It is especially important if the at fault party is uninsured, as the photos can be used to prove the details of the accident and any damage incurred.
Having photos of the accident scene and any damage to the vehicles can be beneficial when filing a claim with your insurance company. If the other driver is uninsured, your insurance company may require proof of the accident to provide uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage is necessary to protect you from the costs associated with the accident.
A car accident lawyer can also use the photos of the accident scene to help build your case against the at-fault driver. The at fault driver may be held liable for any medical bills, property damage, and other costs associated with the accident. Having clear photos of the accident scene and any damage to the vehicles can help establish who was at fault in the accident.
In summary, taking photos of the accident scene and any damage to the vehicles is an important step in the aftermath of a wreck. It is especially important if the other driver is uninsured, as the photos can be used to help you file a claim with your insurance company, pursue legal action against the at-fault driver, and receive the necessary uninsured motorist coverage.
Protection Against Uninsured Drivers
Car insurance is designed to provide financial protection in the event of an accident. It typically covers damages to your car, as well as medical expenses related to injuries sustained in the accident. In some cases, car insurance can also provide protection when the at fault driver is underinsured or doesn’t have insurance.
If the other driver is underinsured or doesn’t have insurance, your car insurance can provide coverage for the costs related to the accident, subject to your policy limits. This type of coverage is typically referred to as an uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist policy. It typically covers the cost of any repairs or medical bills resulting from the accident, up to the limits of your policy.
It is important to note that not all car insurance policies provide coverage for an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver. It is important to review your policy to determine if this coverage is included. If uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is not included, you may be able to add this coverage to your policy for an additional cost.
In addition to providing coverage for damages caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, car insurance can also provide coverage for any legal fees associated with filing a claim. This type of coverage can help to ensure that you are not responsible for the cost of legal fees, even if you are found liable in the case.
Ultimately, car insurance provides important protection in the event of an accident, even if the at fault party is underinsured or doesn’t have insurance. It is important to review your policy to determine what coverage is included and to make sure that you have the protection you need in the event of an accident.
Using Your Own Policy
If you have underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage on your car insurance policy, you can use it to kick in to cover some of the damages you’ve suffered. However, your policy will also have limits.
For one thing, you can only have a total amount of under-and uninsured coverage equal to your primary coverage. That means if you want a $200,000 uninsured motorist policy, you’ll need to have $200,000 in primary (comprehensive, liability, and collision) coverage as well.
Secondly, your insurance, like the at-fault driver, will only pay out to its limits, regardless of how much the accident is worth overall. In the case of underinsurance, it will only pay out the difference between your policy and theirs.
For example, let’s say you have an accident worth $300,000. If you have $250,000 in underinsured coverage, and the other party has only $100,000, your insurance will pay an additional $150,000, the difference between the policies and to a maximum award of your limit.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Car insurance policies typically include uninsured motorist coverage, which provides protection for you if the at fault party does not have insurance. This coverage can cover the costs of any repairs or medical bills related to the accident, up to the limits of your policy.
In addition to providing coverage for damages caused by an uninsured driver, car insurance can also provide protection for any legal fees associated with filing a claim. This type of coverage can help to ensure that you are not responsible for the cost of legal fees, even if you are found liable in the case.
Ultimately, car insurance provides important protection in the event of an accident, even if the negligent driver is underinsured or doesn’t have insurance. It is important to review your policy to determine what coverage is included and to make sure that you have the protection you need in the event of an accident.
Working With A Car Accident Lawyer
Since the other driver is at fault, you may be able to pursue them to make payments on what they owe. However, the legal channels to do this can be complicated and tricky to pursue and you should never do it on your own. This is partially why anytime you’re in an automobile accident and you get hurt, one of the first things you should do is call on the services of a car accident lawyer.
At Mitch Grissim and Associates, we’ve been working with clients in the Nashville area for many years, and have a track record of success. We care about your needs and want to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us for a free consultation today!
