How to Effectively Handle an Accident With an Uninsured Driver

Picture this: You’re driving home from the grocery store. You reach an intersection right as the light turns green and keep going forward. Unfortunately, someone else thinks they have enough time after the light turns red and guns it across the intersection, slamming into your side.

Talking with the other driver reveals that they don’t have any current insurance coverage. Now, you’re not sure what your options might be. Can you still get compensation?

If you’ve recently had an accident with an uninsured driver, here are the steps that you may need to take.

Call for Assistance

When you get involved in a car accident, uninsured drivers or no, your first priority should be to call for help. If there are any injuries, paramedics need to reach the scene ASAP. You should also prioritize contacting the police in the event that the other driver attempts to flee the scene to avoid the consequences of driving without insurance.

Figure Out If Your Insurance Has Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Your next priority after an accident with an uninsured driver should be to determine if your current insurance policy has uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is a type of add-on coverage offered by most insurance carriers that can cover you in the event that the other driver is driving without insurance. Having this coverage can prevent you from coming out of pocket and paying your own repair costs.

Don’t Take Cash at the Scene

While this should seem obvious, you should never take cash at the scene. Some uninsured drivers will try to avoid potential legal and financial repercussions by offering you cash. Tempting as this may seem, have no doubt that your costs will soon outstrip the meager amounts of cash you receive.

Figure Out If You Can File Suit

When all else fails, you can try to seek financial recompense from the uninsured driver with an auto accident attorney. However, in order to do so, you need to make sure that you have enough evidence on your side to establish fault and support your case. Fail to do so, and not only will you be unable to receive help from the other party, but you’ll be out of legal fees and a host of other expenses.

Curious as to what the costs and the full process might be if you decide to file suit? You can learn more from any law firm specializing in personal injury.

Let’s Review What to Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver

When you get involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, if you call for assistance and figure out which coverages your insurance policy contains, you should be able to get the compensation that you deserve. When all other options fail, you also have the opportunity to file a lawsuit against the other person.

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