How to Handle an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

The consequence from being involved in an accident can range from a mild inconvenience to a serious, life-altering problem. The challenges are magnified if the other driver is uninsured. When this happens, you’re forced to seek compensation from a person who may not be able to pay for your property damage or medical bills. Here’s what you should know about handling an accident involving an uninsured driver.

Call the Police

It is important to call for the police and obtain an official record of the accident. This will help you later when you’re trying to get your expenses covered. In most states, driving without insurance is against the law, so the other party may also be facing criminal charges. This is a vital first step for protecting yourself, so make this your first call.

Exchange Information

When dealing with an uninsured driver, you need to make sure that you have a means to reach the other party later. Collect information from the other driver’s license. Take pictures of their license plate. Ask for a cell phone number, home number and work information. Gather as much information as you can about this individual to facilitate contacting them later.

Get Checked Out

Take care of yourself. Visit the doctor or hospital to be examined. When adrenaline is coursing through your body right after an accident, you may not feel the pain of whiplash or other potentially serious injuries. However, the pain and red flags can show up a few hours or even days later. While your insurance may cover your injuries, you ultimately want the person responsible to cover the bills. Documentation is key to any accident, so ask for personal copies of any medical checkups and bills.

Work with Your Insurance Company

Your insurance may not cover you if you’re hit by an uninsured driver. However, there are riders that you can invest in so that you’ll be covered even if the other party cannot reimburse you. Even if you don’t have this coverage, you should still work with your insurance company. They can provide you with valuable advice, and they’ll want to know what repairs have been made to your car.

Review Any Settlement

Whether you’re working with an insurance company or an individual, you can expect the initial offer to be low. This is because the other party will work hard to minimize their losses by reducing payments to you. They may try to claim that some injuries or property damage were present before the accident, and they will almost certainly try to minimize your pain and suffering. You may want to consider working with a professional to help you review offers. It is possible to have a settlement reviewed and increased when you know the law and have an experienced attorney on your side.

Being involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist can cause a great hardship. It can be more difficult to recover damages as the uninsured driver may have minimal assets and no way to cover the damage. You may want to consider investing in a special rider with the insurance company, and work with professionals who can help you review any settlement offers if you are trying to collect damages from an individual.

Information Source: Law Offices of Savin & Bursk