How To Be Compensated After An Accident With An Uninsured Driver

Every driver is aware of the legal necessity for car insurance coverage. If you’ve managed to pass your test and receive your license, you’ve been made aware that driving uninsured is illegal. But millions of people still choose to drive without insurance.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 12% of the 210 million licensed US drivers are uninsured. That means there are roughly 25 million uninsured drivers on the road - a pretty scary thought!

What Should I Do If I’m In An Accident?

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, it’s important to gather important information to protect yourself. Keep this checklist in mind:

• Contact the police - Get the police to the scene as soon as possible. Be aware that many uninsured drivers may flee the scene since they will face legal consequences for driving uninsured.

• Take photos - Take plenty of photos of both vehicles and the surrounding scene. These could be relevant for determining the at-fault driver.

• Take notes - Jot down the license plate number, make, model, and color of the other vehicle if you can. If the other driver flees, this will be useful for identifying them.

• Talk with witnesses - If there are any witnesses, make sure to grab their contact information. This will be useful if you need testimony to back up your side of the story.

How Will My Insurance Handle Uninsured Drivers?

If you’ve recently been in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be wondering about your rights. Dealing with the various consequences of a car accident is stressful enough, and finding out the other driver is uninsured adds another layer to this stress.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

In Pennsylvania, insurance companies offer an option for uninsured motorist coverage. Drivers with this coverage will receive some compensation from their insurance companies in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. But just like liability insurance, there are caps for these payouts. Your insurance company will pay for damages up to the limit you’ve purchased with your plan.

What If I Don’t Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Dealing with the aftermath of an accident will be especially difficult if your plan doesn’t have these protections. In these situations, it’s time to consider seeking financial compensation in civil court. However, the unfortunate reality is that many uninsured drivers are uninsured simply because they can’t afford it. With these individuals, it may be difficult to collect the compensation you need during your recovery.

What If My Coverage Doesn’t Cover My Expenses?

Even if you have this coverage, you may find that your plan limit does not fully cover the various expenses you’re dealing with in the aftermath of your accident. Accident victims are forced to take on a variety of financial burdens, which may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages and earning potential
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering

In many cases, your insurance plan will only be able to cover a portion of your medical bills. This leaves you alone to deal with the various other financial setbacks in the wake of your accident. However, there are situations in which civil recourse may be possible.

Suing Uninsured Motorists

Suing an uninsured motorist will often be an uphill battle. Even if the court rules in your favor and awards compensation, collecting those funds may prove difficult. It depends on the reason that the other driver chose to drive uninsured. If he or she is living in poverty and needed to drive but couldn’t afford insurance, your odds of receiving payment may be low. But in these circumstances, the court may institute a payment plan for your damages.

However, other uninsured drivers may have chosen to drive uninsured, even though they do have the financial means to afford a plan.

Is This Coverage Necessary?

Yes. Even though there’s no law requiring it, responsible drivers should make sure to have coverage against uninsured motorists. The small increase in your monthly premium is well worth the coverage you’ll receive in these unfortunate circumstances. With roughly 1 in 8 drivers being uninsured, it’s simply not worth the risk of trying to seek financial compensation from an uninsured driver.

Related Pages

• Comprehensive guide for car crash victims
• Common concerns following an accident
• Common car accident injuries
• Pedestrian accident victims