Going through a motorist accident can be a traumatizing experience for many people. It may leave a person helpless and with no idea of what to do next. Even worse is the thought of getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist driver. What happens then? How are you protected? Were you aware that about 14% of people around the United States do not have car insurance? That is a 14% chance of encountering an accident with someone who might not have any coverage at all.
Because going through this event can’t be life-changing, we’ve come up with an outline of what you should do to protect yourself if you or anyone you may know were to get into an accident with an uninsured driver.
Why Doesn’t Everyone Carry Insurance When It Is Required?
Many people have the mentality that they should not be forced into carrying car insurance because they may feel that they are safe drivers or because of the high costs associated with car insurances. Often times, people will provide a false proof of insurance by purchasing the insurance long enough to register their car and then canceling it to avoid paying. Also, many uninsured drivers are those people without licenses or that have had their license suspended.
Regardless of the reason why a motorist is not carrying insurance, many states require by law to carry at least the minimum liability coverage. By not doing so, they are breaking the law and can not only be sued civilly, but they can also be charged criminally depending on the severity of the accident. Getting into an accident with an insured driver is less complex than with an uninsured motorist because of all the laws and regulations coupled with uninsured motorists. Seeking legal representation after being hit by an uninsured motorist is the best course of action.
Take Control
Have you ever heard the saying “Your best defense is a good offense”? There is an insurance coverage known as “uninsured motorist” that serves for the specific purpose – protecting you from people who do not carry insurance. Along with uninsured motorist coverage, most insurance companies have underinsured coverage for those drivers who do not have enough liability insurance to cover the damages that were caused.
What Do You Do After Being Hit by An Uninsured Driver?
Everyone should be knowledgeable about what they should do after being in a collision with an uninsured driver whether they have uninsured motorist coverage or not. These are some steps that should be taken after getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist:
- Dial 911: Making sure that every detail gets documented after getting in an accident is essential to any case. The proof of the accident will serve as evidence for your Having proper documentation when getting into a crash with an uninsured driver is especially important because these are people who are breaking the law and should be penalized for not abiding by the traffic laws in place.
- Getting their contact information: This is important even though they do not have insurance. Having their contact information and identity can assist the police and your case.
- Reporting the accident: Make sure to report the accident to your insurance company. Your insurance company will be able to tell you whether you are covered or not.
A Skillful Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney
Because uninsured motorist accidents can be stressful and complex, contacting an attorney who is knowledgeable about these types of accidents is vital. Medical bills and property damage can be substantial after a vehicle accident, and can even end with a fatality.
About Author
Benjamin Drake is a California personal injury attorney and founder of Drake Law Firm. A law firm dedicated to all injured with dedicated attention and deserved compensation.
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