“I was hit by an uninsured driver. What do I need to do?”
Car accidents are stressful enough. Car accidents with uninsured drivers are worse. After all, auto insurance is supposed to insure the policy holder against unexpected expenses caused by, or to, their motor vehicle. So if you get into an accident with an uninsured motorist, how can you make sure you’re compensated for any injuries or damage they’re responsible for?
Next Steps after Accident with Uninsured Driver
What you do immediately after an auto accident is crucial, even if no one in your vehicle or the other vehicle appear to have suffered any serious injuries. Information and documentation gathered at the scene of the accident can make a big difference to the results of an uninsured motorist claim down the road. Even if you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance company will need the information to recover the compensation they pay to you.
Call for help
Regardless of whether anyone in your car seems hurt, call 9-1-1 as soon as you can. Auto collisions can cause serious injuries that may not be detectable at first glance by someone who isn’t a medical professional.
A 9-1-1 dispatcher can take information from you to assess whether you need an ambulance or simply police. The dispatcher can also guide you in exiting your vehicle safely, especially if there’s traffic.
Gather information
Once you and any passengers are out of your vehicle and first responders are on their way, quickly snap a photo of the other vehicle’s license plate. Then begin taking information from the other driver.
Here’s where you’ll find out if you may need to be suing an uninsured driver for damages. Ask the other driver for their name, identification, and insurance card and pay attention to their response.
Like you, the other driver was just involved in a car accident. Uninsured driver red flags will begin to show if they’re driving without accident coverage. They may hesitate or refuse to tell you their name or provide insurance information.
Don’t escalate into a conflict if the other driver refuses to give you their information. Since you took a picture of their license plate, police should be able to identify and locate them later on if needed, even if they leave the scene of the accident.
Document the accident
While you’re waiting for first responders to arrive on the scene, take photos and videos of the accident for your own records. Include visible damage to your vehicle and the other car, and try to get some shots from different angles of the full accident scene, with street signs or addresses visible if possible. Take contact information from any witnesses who are willing to help.
The police will document the scene and damage and gather witness information as well. Having additional evidence of your own can help support your uninsured motorist claim, however.
Call an attorney
Even if you have uninsured motorist insurance in your auto policy and don’t expect to have to file an uninsured motorist lawsuit, having expert legal representation will help ensure you get the maximum compensation after an accident.
An experienced auto accident injury attorney may be aware of expenses you can be compensated for that you wouldn’t think of. They can also provide resources to assist in determining fault for the accident. Figuring out who’s at fault is often more complicated than simply asking whether you were hit by uninsured motorist or you hit them.
Making an uninsured motorist claim doesn’t have to be difficult. Our expert lawyers are here to represent you and/or your insurance company in suing an uninsured driver for damages after an accident. Give yourself the best chance to get the maximum compensation by contacting us for a consultation as soon as you can after an accident.
