Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver

March 22, 2019 Posted in Reckless Driving

This might be surprising, but studies show that 1 out of 8 drivers do not have auto insurance. A lot of states require a mandatory insurance policy, but this is not strictly followed.

In the event you get into an accident with a driver without insurance, here are some tips as provided by the Law Offices of Gary L. Rohlwing:

Call the police

Contacting the authorities in the case of a car accident is a standard operating procedure already. However, the role of the police is more important when you’re dealing with an uninsured driver. The police will conduct the investigation and do the documentation for you. This will make the process of claiming process easier and faster.

It is also important to tell the officer the other driver does not have an insurance policy. This should be included in their report.

Do not compromise

Accepting money right away might not be the best idea. It is best to first assess the damage of your car. In some jurisdictions, accepting money from the uninsured driver may preclude one from claiming from their own policy.

Get the information of the uninsured driver

This is perhaps the most important step when dealing with an uninsured driver. Get the name, address, contact number, and even the office address and office number of the uninsured driver.

Get information of the witnesses or bystanders

Aside from the information of the uninsured driver, getting the contact  details of witnesses is also important. Their testimonies will help as proof and evidence for a claim with your own insurance policy.

Take pictures

Take pictures of the accident. Proper documentation is key. Also, take a photo and note the color, model and license plate of the other car. The location of the accident is also essential. Take note of the direction the cars were going. If there are any skid marks, take a photo of those as well. Destruction to other property caused by the accident can also be photographed.

Aside from the aforementioned, it is also pertinent to get Uninsured Motorist Coverage in your policy. This clause is an optional coverage in a lot of states. However, it is still a handy addition to your coverage, because as mentioned above, there are still a lot of drivers out there who are not insured.

With this optional coverage, the insurance policy will cover all the expenses incurred, such as medical expenses for bodily harm and repair expenses for damaged property. It is best to consult with a lawyer before filing the claim with your insurance company. The lawyer will be of great help when processing documentation from the police and the hospital. The lawyer will also better assess the indemnity recoverable from the driver-at-fault.

Another option is to take the case to court. Lawyers, such as those from the Law Offices of Gary L. Rohlwing, would advise filing a personal injury suit against the driver at fault. However, this may take a lot of time and money. It is therefore important to first consult with a lawyer before pressing charges.