Car Accident Lawyer
After being involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be expecting a payout from the other driver’s insurance company. This payout could help you pay for medical expenses and damage to your car. What happens when you find out the other driver is uninsured? There are still a few options you have to receive proper compensation.
- Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If you are properly insured, you should have coverage called “uninsured or underinsured motorist.” This coverage protects you in a situation in which the other driver is at fault but has no coverage of his or her own. Most states are required to at least offer this type of coverage to every driver, and some states require the coverage itself. If you live in one of these states, you likely have the coverage and the protection. You can then file a claim to receive compensation. Be sure you understand deadlines so you get the claim filed on time.
- A Lawsuit
Most states are negligence states, meaning someone has to be at fault for the accident. If you happen to live in a no-fault state, you may not be able to file a lawsuit. If you live in an area you are able to file, you’ll need solid proof the other driver was at fault. After your accident, collect witness statements and contact information, pictures of the scene, and any other evidence you can think of.
Realize if someone is driving without insurance, it may be because they are financially strapped. In such a situation, you may win the lawsuit, but collecting on it could prove difficult. If there’s nowhere to pull the settlement money from, you simply won’t receive it. Wages can be garnished and assets can be sold, but doing so doesn’t always prove successful.
- Other Insurance Coverage
If you have collision coverage, you can use it for the costs of repairing your car. Your medical expenses could be paid by your health insurance coverage. While you may not receive quite as much compensation as you feel you should, this is still a good avenue to pursue, as your only other option may be to pay out of pocket.
Contacting a Lawyer
Contacting a lawyer after your accident is a great way to learn more about your options. If you were hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance, there are still some ways you can receive compensation for damage done.
