Although it is illegal to drive without car insurance, many drivers choose to do so anyway. If you want to avoid legal battles, it’s important to know what to do after an accident with an uninsured driver.
Most states in the country require drivers to have liability insurance. Even then, driving without insurance is quite prevalent. Approximately 13% of drivers are uninsured, and sadly, many of these drivers are involved in accidents. Therefore, you must understand what would happen if you were hit by someone who does not have insurance. Let’s take a look at what to expect after an accident with an uninsured driver.
What to Do After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver
Call 911
If you’ve had an accident in your car or truck, it is important to call the police right away, no matter who was at fault. A police report will help you obtain compensation for your losses. If you are physically able to, you should also snap photographs of the accident scene. Take photos of your vehicle’s damage, skid marks, and any other relevant facts that will support your personal injury case.
When the cops arrive, give them a thorough narrative of what happened, as well as the contact information for any witnesses you were able to find. Include everything that happened before, during, and after the collision in your report of the incident so that the officer may write a complete report.
Exchange information
The police officer will record the other driver’s information, but you should exchange information with the at-fault driver before the authorities arrive. You may discover that the motorist is uninsured as a result of this consultation. They may even offer to pay cash to avoid legal issues, but regardless of the circumstances, you should always summon the police to the scene of an accident.
Make a note of their license plate tag, license number, and contact information when gathering their information. Many uninsured drivers would refuse to share such information and may even flee the accident scene. Note their tag and wait for the police to arrive on the scene in such cases.
Call your insurance provider
If you’ve had an accident in your covered car, you should report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurance provider will cover damages if you have uninsured motorist coverage, which covers both physical and property damage. Some states mandate drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. In other states, you may be able to buy underinsured motorist coverage as well. So double-check your policy with your carrier.
If you don’t have such coverage, you’ll have to go to court to get compensated for any damages caused by the accident with an uninsured driver.
What Happens If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
Your state’s laws will determine a lot. If you live in a state with classic tort insurance rules, the at-fault party’s insurance will cover you. Your insurance would cover you if you were at fault. If the other motorist doesn’t have insurance, there’s a good chance they don’t have much money. A lawyer can assist you, but even if you win your lawsuit, you may not be able to receive damages.
If an uninsured driver hits you, there is a way to shield yourself from having to face the entire expense. You can add both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to your insurance for an additional fee.
If your state has no-fault legislation, each driver’s insurance pays for the injuries or damages suffered by that driver and his passengers, regardless of who is at fault. However, there is a catch: no-fault laws limit your capacity to sue.
Suppose you have added uninsured motorist coverage to your policy. In that case, that should help in getting more money from your own insurer, even if suing the uninsured motorist at fault does not bring you financial relief.
What Does an Uninsured Motorist Policy Cover?
Uninsured motorist coverage, or UM, covers the following:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Lowered quality of life
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
In certain states, uninsured motorist coverage is compulsory. In other words, insurance firms have to offer it as part of their optional coverage plans. Here’s a list of states where uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory:
- Connecticut
- D.C.
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
If you receive this policy, it will most likely have the same limits as your liability coverage. Your uninsured motorist policy will then reimburse your bills if you are in a collision with an uninsured driver. Lost wages and medical bills are among the costs. Uninsured motorist coverage can also cover medical expenses and pain and suffering.
You could also include underinsured motorist coverage when adding uninsured motorist coverage to your policy. This is similar, except it protects you if you were involved in an accident with someone who is underinsured. This coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver’s policy is exhausted.
Other options to consider after an accident with an uninsured driver
While uninsured motorist coverage is the ideal option, your current policy may also offer some level of protection. You can use your collision coverage to pay for repairs if you have it. However, you may be required to pay a deductible to have your vehicle repaired.
You can also obtain coverage for medical expenses. A deductible is usually not included in this, but check your policy to be sure. If that’s the case, you can use it to pay your medical expenditures up to the policy’s limits.
If you are in an accident and do not have uninsured motorist coverage, these choices may be useful. Uninsured motorist coverage, on the other hand, is the best approach to safeguard yourself.
How to Get Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
As with other types of car insurance, start by comparing quotes from several insurance providers. This ensures you get a good deal on your car insurance. You can start by getting in touch with a licensed insurance agent to get started. If you need multiple car insurance quotes in less than 10 minutes, check out the way.com app or website by tapping the banner below.
We only require your basic information to research different uninsured motorist coverage options for you. Then you can choose your policy and benefit from the protection it provides. If you have the right uninsured motorist coverage, you won’t have to worry about being hit by an uninsured motorist. Even if you come across drivers who aren’t insured, you’ll be safe.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
