By Miah Ayaan
Driving without insurance is a criminal offense, and anyone found guilty is penalized. However, that doesn’t stop a lot of drivers from committing this felony. Let’s hope, in your case; you weren’t the one without the insurance!
In the unfortunate event that you meet with an accident (car accidents are more common than you think) that involves an uninsured driver, your own insurance policies and a team of qualified and local injury lawyers are your Hail Mary. A good personal injury policy covering various causes is one of the most important investments you can make.
Read on to find out how to tackle such accidents and whether or not filing a compensation lawsuit is worth the effort.
Choosing the Right Personal Injury Policy
Everyone should have a good and exhaustive car and personal accidental policy. Even insurance companies know that many uninsured drivers are driving the streets of America, and they include additional coverage like the uninsured motorist (UIM) to protect your interest.
You only have to pay a small extra fee to include this add-on, but it is a lifesaver in the event of a claim. So, remember to discuss this with your agent before preparing the insurance document.
If you meet with an accident, you should inform your personal injury attorney if your policy covers UIM or not. They will help prepare your claim documents so that you get maximum compensation (standard UIMs have several restrictive clauses that can lead to low compensation).
Steps to Follow Immediately After the Accident
Tend to your injuries. Of course. But once you get medical attention, follow the steps below to speed up the compensation process. Remember that getting a claim depends on how quickly you acted.
- Inform the police and file an FIR. Cops help in assessing the extent of losses and document them as well. You will need this report to file for compensation later.
- Get all the information you can about the other driver, talk to witnesses. Having strong witnesses makes a compensation case stronger.
- Take photo evidence as well as you can. Make sure to capture all angles of your vehicle to show the extent of damages and any other injury marks on your body.
Note: In most accidents involving uninsured drivers, there is a high chance that the defaulter will offer you some money to prevent you from taking any legal actions. Unless there are unavoidable reasons, it is best not to settle anything outside the law because, at that point, you really don’t know how much you will have to pay for repair and recovery.
Should you file a lawsuit – Final Verdict
For all practical purposes, no! If the defaulter doesn’t have insurance, there is a good chance that they don’t have the money to pay for compensation. Hire a qualified lawyer to run background checks on the driver to get clarity on their financial situations. An honest lawyer will never force you to file a lawsuit. Instead, put your combined effort into getting a reasonable settlement from your insurance company.
Drive safe!
