Anytime you are involved in a serious auto accident is frightening and frustrating. In the moments after the crash, you’re worried about your injuries and if any of your passengers have injuries. Then, you think about how much damage your car sustained and how long it may take to recover from your injuries.
If you find out after the crash that the driver who hit you is uninsured, you face even more uncertainty. Who will cover the costs of replacing or repairing your car? Will you even receive compensation for your injury costs?
What to do when in a crash with an uninsured driver
The first steps you need to take if you are in a collision with an uninsured driver are to:
- Call 911.
- File a police report.
- Get the medical attention you need.
You want to have police collect evidence about the accident to help determine if any other parties were at fault. You also want to seek medical attention to document your injuries as evidence for your personal injury claim.
When making your police report, you don’t want to admit any liability for causing the crash, even partial liability for it. If you have partial liability for the accident, your insurance company will be paying for some share of the injury costs for the other driver and some damage cost for the other vehicle.
After receiving medical attention and filing the police report, you want to contact your insurance company. You want to let them know that the other driver involved in the collision was uninsured. If you have liability and collision coverage, that will cover the damages to your car and your injury costs. You may even have coverage to protect you if you’re in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
When to seek further help
If you suffer serious injuries, like a traumatic brain injury or have multiple broken bones and needed surgery, you may want to consult a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to offer a low-ball lump-sum injury settlement. However, if you will have long-term pain and suffering because of your injuries, you may deserve further compensation.