Despite insurance being a requirement under most circumstances, there are millions of drivers who choose to remain uninsured. When you are in a car accident, you may have to rely on the other person’s insurance to help compensate you for your damages. If the other person doesn’t have insurance, what can you do? Here are a few tips to handle the situation.
Figure Out Fault
Even before you file the police report or the insurance claim, you have to know who was at fault for the accident. If you believe that the other driver was at fault, then you are going to have to collect evidence that proves it. Now, what you do need to know about fault is that there are twelve states that do not recognize fault. This means that if you are in an accident, your insurance pays for property damage and injuries, regardless of who caused it.
Now, if you live in a state where you can assign fault to the other driver, then you need to think about how to advance and file a claim. Some people do carry uninsured motorist coverage for this reason. If you live in an state where you can apply fault to another driver, you can file a claim.
File the Report
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You should always file a police report directly after the accident. This will get the ball rolling right away. If an accident doesn’t seem serious, some people choose to simply exchange information. This is not always enough, however. The police report can help protect your best interests when it comes to an accident. The police can determine who was at fault or why the accident occurred. Police reports make great evidence in car accident cases.
File the Claim
Next, you can file the claim. Make sure to file the claim with your insurance provider. You can also contact your lawyer before or shortly after you contact your insurer. Sometimes, this becomes complicated. You may find that your insurer tries not to pay because it is an uninsured motorist case. This is why it’s important to have all of your evidence put together for when you file your claim.
When dealing with drivers that don’t have insurance, you may feel overwhelmed. After all, you don’t have their car insurer to rely on when it comes to compensation. If you aren’t sure how to handle your case moving forward, then it always helps to discuss your options with a car accident lawyer, like a car accident lawyer. Set up an appointment to find out what you should do.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
