Though it can be alarming to find out the at-fault party does not carry insurance, don’t allow this fact to deter you from filing a claim. Instead, gather evidence to support your case that they lack coverage and take appropriate steps in your claim filing process.
UM/UIM policies can be particularly important if you live in a no-fault or tort state; such policies could help cover damages sustained as a result of accidents.
1. File a Police Report
Police reports are essential evidence in car accidents; without them, insurance companies might refuse to cover your claim and it can become more challenging if the other driver involved in your collision is uninsured.
Uninsured motorists in some states are not legally required to file a police report, yet you should still contact them as this will ensure that any actions of uninsured drivers are documented, creating an accurate account of what transpired. Furthermore, police will have the ability to issue tickets against these drivers – which could potentially result in conviction for driving while uninsured.
Stay at the scene of an accident and take notes on both parties involved if one decides to flee from it, taking note of their license plate numbers and characteristics so the police can more easily catch them if they attempt to flee from it themselves. This will allow them to get away safely.
Consider taking photos of the accident scene, your vehicle and any injuries sustained as evidence. Video surveillance footage could also prove invaluable; witness statements should also be obtained for further analysis.
Undertaking all these steps can greatly increase your chances of receiving compensation from an at-fault driver for injuries and property damage sustained, and provide peace of mind knowing you have an accurate account of what occurred which prevents them from altering their story later.
As well as filing a police report, it’s wise to keep track of your medical expenses and any financial damages from an accident. Furthermore, keeping a journal detailing daily life after being injured will serve as evidence that an incident had an impactful influence on you – something which can later serve as proof.
If you’re involved in an accident involving someone who doesn’t carry insurance, it can be extremely daunting and confusing. But there are steps that you can take to protect your rights and maximize potential compensation – one being to contact an experienced car accident attorney who specializes in uninsured motorist claims.
2. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
No matter who was at fault in an accident, it is always essential that you report it to your own car insurance provider and report the incident. Most providers make it simple with their mobile apps or websites and it should include date, time, police report number (if there is one), driver’s license details, as well as any relevant photos from the scene and damage done to your vehicle; gathering witness names and phone numbers could also prove invaluable – especially if injuries such as whiplash don’t show symptoms immediately following an incident. If anyone involved has sustained injuries as a result of their car insurance provider coverage policy doesn’t cover them either – be sure to report and report all pertinent details for yourself and them as soon as possible as medical attention may be necessary as soon after that accident occurred!
As part of your response to an accident, it is a good idea to document any physical or emotional trauma experienced as a result of it, as well as treatment received. In many states, this information can help calculate how much compensation you are eligible to receive.
If the other driver lacks insurance and you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim with your own provider for up to the limits of your policy. Do this as soon as possible as many insurers have deadlines set aside specifically for uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.
If you do not possess uninsured motorist coverage, compensation from an at-fault driver may only come through their personal assets. This could be a lengthy and drawn out process; to help protect yourself against that possibility it is wise to hire an attorney who knows how to manage these types of cases and ensure you are treated fairly by both insurance companies and receiving an equitable settlement for losses sustained in an accident. Furthermore, an attorney may help pursue legal action against uninsured drivers if your claim does not produce satisfactory results.
3. See a Doctor
Visit an urgent care clinic immediately following a car accident is often the simplest and fastest way to receive treatment for injuries sustained in an incident. These facilities typically have longer clinical hours than primary care physicians’ offices and often accommodate walk-in patients.
No matter the perceived severity of an accident, it is wise to visit a physician after any incident, regardless of how minor. Even though injuries may not appear immediately visible, delaying medical care could result in more severe consequences, particularly with regard to brain and internal injuries which often take weeks or months before showing symptoms.
Doctors can help identify obvious injuries as well as administer tests to check for other possible issues, which is especially beneficial when it comes to injuries that aren’t immediately evident, like concussions caused by sudden shifts of brain position during an accident. Any indications of concussion could easily be misconstrued as common headaches if treatment is delayed too long – worsening patient conditions in the meantime.
Seeking immediate medical treatment may also be wise from an insurance standpoint. Your auto policy may stipulate a timeframe within which you must visit a doctor in order to qualify for personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in the event of an accident, and failure to do so could result in denied claims.
Visits to urgent care clinics or doctors offices can also serve as proof of injuries when filing claims against uninsured drivers, and as evidence against those at fault in any personal injury cases that ensue.
Understand that emergency rooms (ERs) will sometimes attach a lien to your bill after treatment, meaning they’ll collect the amount later from any compensation payments received later. You can request the ER wait to put this lien on your account until your case resolves; some ERs may accept this request while others won’t.
4. Gather Evidence
As soon as a car accident has taken place, it is vitally important to start collecting evidence as quickly as possible in order to prove who was at fault and seek compensation for your damages.
First and foremost, call the police. This may prove challenging if the other driver is uninsured and attempts to leave before police officers arrive; also it’s wise to speak to any witnesses who were present during the accident; these individuals could provide essential testimony that will support your claim, such as their name, contact info and descriptions of what occurred.
Pictures can provide invaluable evidence in any accident investigation, from images of the two vehicles involved to photos showing damage to your own car and road debris, injuries sustained in the incident and more. It is also wise to take pictures of the other driver’s license plate number; this will help identify them should they flee from the scene of an accident and get their insurance details for filing an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurer if needed.
While gathering evidence, it’s also essential that you do not reveal anything that could be used against you in court. Avoid admitting fault for the accident when possible and especially after feeling emotionally and psychologically distraught from it; keep quiet! Any comments could be seen as admission of guilt by authorities.
Reject any pressure from the other driver not to contact the police; politely but firmly decline their offer as this will allow an officer to document everything that occurred in an accident investigation.
If you find yourself being affected by an uninsured or underinsured driver, consulting with a car accident attorney is wise. They can assess your medical bills and lost income before calculating how much the other party owes you in terms of personal injury lawsuit damages. They’ll also look over your UM/UIM coverage to see if it covers these damages; otherwise they can provide guidance as to your next steps if this coverage doesn’t cover them fully.