What to Do if You Are Injured by an Uninsured Motorist
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is never fun, but the frustration only escalates when you sustain significant injuries. In normal circumstances, you are able to pass off medical bills to the insurance of the responsible party. However, what do you do when the other driver is uninsured? Unfortunately, many people break the law every day and drive vehicles that are not insured. Therefore, here are some tips on what to do if you are injured by an uninsured motorist:
1. Document the Scene
As with any car accident, one of the first things you should always do is document the scene. Depending on the severity of your injuries, take as many photos as you can. This includes pictures of the scene, damage to the vehicles, and any physical injuries that can be seen (blood, bruising, scratches, etc.) If there were any witnesses to the accident, ask them for assistance if necessary to collect the needed evidence from the scene.
2. Contact Medical Care
Following your accident, be sure to call 911 and have a police officer come to the scene to fill out a report. If the other driver is trying to persuade you not to make the call because they are uninsured, do not be swayed. It is important to never take any type of money offered as a bribe to not get the authorities involved in a crash. Be sure to also notify dispatch of any injuries you have so they can send medical personnel to the scene so you can receive the care you need. In addition to a police report, the paramedics will make note of any injuries that you sustained as a result of the accident.
3. Gather Information
Even if the responsible party does not have insurance, you still need to gather their personal information that can be found on a driver’s license. The things you will want to document include the person’s name, address, and phone number. This is the same information that will be listed on the police report, but it never hurts to make sure you are well-prepared when it comes time to file a claim for property damage and injuries against the uninsured motorist.
4. Contact an Attorney
Getting injured by another driver is a traumatic experience, but it is even more terrifying when they are underinsured or not insured at all. You do not want to be left with the burden of lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage to deal with on your own. Our experienced team of lawyers can help you fight for what you are entitled to. Since people without insurance typically don’t have a ton of money to their name, it makes it virtually impossible to go after their assets in a personal injury case. When you are faced with this situation, you need experienced legal representation.
If you have been injured by an uninsured motorist, contact our team today for a free case review. Our lawyers will sit down with you and look over the facts of your accident and can give you guidance on the necessary path to take.
