Senior Partner
Experiencing a car accident is always a frustrating ordeal, even if you do not suffer serious injuries and all the parties involved work together to reach a fair resolution quickly. However, you face an entirely different set of frustrations if you experience a car accident where the other driver is uninsured.
Recovering fair compensation is possible after an uninsured motorist accident, but it is not simple. As soon as you realize that the other party does not have insurance, you must begin protecting your rights. The sooner you begin building your claim and gathering evidence against the other party, the sooner you can focus on your own needs and losses.
Get the other driver’s information
Even if the other driver does not have insurance, it is always good to get as much information as you can about them. If they stop and interact with you after the accident, be sure to get their name and contact information, as well as their license plate number and drivers’ license number. It is also wise to take pictures of the vehicle and the scene of the accident, to document the damages and the layout of the wreckage, before the cleanup crew clears it away.
Alert the police
Alerting the police to the accident helps create official documentation and puts pressure on the other driver to take responsibility for their fault in the accident, or face potential criminal charges. Once police arrive, they will create a police report, which is very useful when pursuing compensation.
Inform your insurer
Whether the other driver has insurance or not, you should call your own insurance provider as soon as possible. This allows you to report the accident and get your claim moving, if you have uninsured motorist coverage or some other form of coverage that applies.
It is also important to inform your insurer of the accident as soon as possible so that it does not fall to the back of your mind. Many insurance providers require drivers to report an accident in a certain amount of time in order to receive coverage.
Consider your legal options
In many instances, accident claims do not receive proper attention from insurers, or an insurer may drag their feet while settling a claim. Be sure to build a strong case using all the legal tools you have at your disposal, to keep your rights protected while you work through the inconvenience of a car accident with an uninsured motorist.
