The squealing of wheels, the crunch of metal, and you jolting in your seat. Someone’s hit you from behind, you’re in a car accident.
You get out of your car and the other driver tells you that they don’t have insurance. You can feel panic rising. Great, you’ve managed to get into an accident with one of the 13% of uninsured individuals on the road.
Take a deep breath! There’s no need to panic, there are things in place to protect you in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. Keep reading to find out what to do.
Assess the Damage & Collect Information
If you find yourself in a car accident with an uninsured driver, make sure to take photos of the damage to your vehicle and their vehicle. Make careful note of where the accident has taken place, and collect their personal information like driver’s license and vehicle ownership papers.
You will need as much information as possible to make sure you are covered when making an insurance claim.
Report an Uninsured Driver Accident
The next thing you’ll need to do is report the uninsured driver and accident to the police as by law, accidents must be reported.
You will want to phone the police while you’re at the scene of the accident so that they can collect the information from you and the other driver in order to file a report. It’s a good idea to collect the present officer’s information and badge number along with the case number for your insurance claim and if you decide to file a lawsuit.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
Before you phone your insurance provider, it’s a good idea to contact a car accident attorney who’s familiar with uninsured drivers.
They will help guide you with what to tell your insurance prover to make sure your vehicle is covered for repairs, along with letting you know if you have the ground to pursue a lawsuit for damages from the uninsured driver.
For more information about your legal rights, click here to find out more.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Once the accident has been reported and you’ve collected all the necessary information, you can calmly take your time to phone your insurance provider.
The insurance provider will need all the information you’ve collected at the scene of the accident in order to file your insurance claim. It’s a good thing to know that most insurance providers have a cap on how much they will pay out for uninsured driver accidents, which is why a lawsuit might be a good idea to cover the rest of your claim.
Don’t Worry, Keep a Level Head
Car accidents happen, and unfortunately, you may come across an uninsured driver. Don’t be caught off guard by not knowing what to do in this event and make sure you are taking all the necessary precautions to cover any damage to your vehicle. Don’t hesitate to speak to an attorney for more information on your rights.
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