Getting into a car accident is a headache. But it’s an even bigger headache when it involves an uninsured driver. Unfortunately, you can’t predict who is out there driving without insurance.
Therefore, there are certain precautions you should take to cover yourself and a few things you should do after a vehicle crash.
If you’ve had a collision with an uninsured driver, take a look at the information below to learn the steps to take.
The Importance of Car Insurance
First things first, the primary way to deal with an uninsured driver is to make sure that you have the proper car insurance. There are various incidents that could occur while you’re on the road, so it’s best to be prepared.
If it’s not an uninsured driver that you’re dealing with, you may have an accident that involves a hit and run. Either of those situations could lead to a bad ordeal.
Therefore, you should get uninsured motorist coverage added to your insurance. That way, if you have a collision with an uninsured driver, you’ll have courage.
Let’s say you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage. If you get into a crash with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, you’ll be forced to take them to court for the damages. Many times that’s a dead-end, and it costs more to sue them than to pay your medical bills and car repairs.
Car Accidents in No-Fault States
If you are in a car accident with a driver in a no-fault state, things work a little differently. In no-fault states, it doesn’t matter who is responsible for the crash. Your insurance provider will have to pay a portion or all of your medical bills and lost income.
Therefore, whether the driver is insured or not, you’ll have to file the claim with your private insurance company. Do some research about your state before moving forward with your accident claim.
To find out more about getting the proper car insurance, follow the highlighted link.
What to Do After a Car Accident
If you are ever in a vehicle collision, there are a few things you should do immediately after the crash. Here are the steps:
Call the Police
Before you do anything, you should always call the police after a car crash. They’ll come on the scene and assess the situation. Plus, they’ll get help for any passengers who are hurt.
Furthermore, the officers will get both sides of the story and make a determination of who’s at fault for the accident. You want to make sure that a police report is on record—especially if you plan to sue the other driver.
Exchange Information With the Uninsured Driver
Even if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, get their information anyway. They may not have an insurance company to provide you with, but you’ll need their telephone number and full name. Your insurance provider may have to contact them at some point during the claims process.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine after the accident, go to the hospital anyway. Car accident injuries sometimes develop days or weeks after the collision. You don’t want to file your insurance claim and later try to get compensation for your medical expenses.
It’s best to have documentation on file showing that you went to the hospital. Whether or not the doctor finds anything wrong with you is irrelevant. If you make a medical claim down the line, there will be medical history on record related to the crash.
File an Insurance Claim
The next step is to call your insurance company. You want to make sure they are aware of the collision and get your claim started as soon as possible. If you are coherent, be sure to call them the same day of the accident.
The sooner you put the information on file, the better. This step is especially important because if you crash with an uninsured driver. The only way you’ll get compensated is through your private insurance.
Call a Car Accident Attorney
Fighting through an insurance claim isn’t easy, and it often requires the help of a car accident attorney. When an uninsured driver hits you, you don’t have much leverage. You can’t go after their insurance company, so you’re stuck with dealing with your provider.
Unfortunately, it’s sometimes a big hassle to get proper compensation from the insurance company. A lot of times, they’ll try to give you the minimum amount. But if you’ve incurred medical expenses, car repair bills, and lost wages due to an accident, you deserve a decent settlement.
When you’re in this situation, you need legal counsel on your side. They have the experience and knowledge to fight against the insurance company and make sure that you get a good settlement amount.
Otherwise, you may be left picking up the pieces all alone after an accident.
Get Car Accident Help
It would be wonderful if you were able to avoid every uninsured driver on the road. Unfortunately, that’s not reality. Since you can’t prevent accidents, your best bet is to cover yourself as much as possible.
Get the proper insurance coverage and call a car accident attorney to help you after a crash. Doing so will make the situation a lot easier.
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