Auto accidents are always stressful. You may be dealing with injuries, as well as physical damage to your vehicle. The situation is even more stressful when the other party doesn’t have insurance. The good news is there are steps that you can take to get the compensation you deserve.
Step 1: File a Police Report
In any accident, you’ll want to file a police report immediately. If there are no serious injuries or damages, you may be instructed to move your vehicles off the highway if possible. In some situations, you’ll be advised to leave the vehicles where they are.
The police report will help to determine who is at fault in the accident. For example, if the police determine the other party was speeding, they may be at fault.
Step 2: Get Their Information
As soon as you’ve called the authorities, you’ll need to get the other party’s information. Request their full name and phone number. If they have insurance, get this information as well.
If the person refuses to give you this information, you may be able to get it from the police report.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance company may cover the damages.
Uninsured motorist coverage is designed specifically to protect you in this situation. Some companies have time limits on how long you have to file an uninsured motorist accident claim, so don’t wait to contact them.
You may be required to pay a deductible to use this coverage. It can also raise your insurance rates, even though the accident wasn’t your fault.
Uninsured motorist coverage can also apply if the driver is underinsured. This means that the damages to your vehicle or medical expenses exceed the other person’s coverage limits. In this case, your insurance company should cover the difference between their coverage and your damages.
Step 4: Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Getting compensation when you are hit by an uninsured driver can be complicated, so it’s a great idea to contact an attorney early on. They can give you guidance and let you know if you should hire an attorney.
If you choose to file a lawsuit against the insurance company or the uninsured motorist, it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer. Even if you don’t file a lawsuit, an attorney can help you navigate the accident claim process. You may get more compensation if you work with a lawyer throughout the process.
Insurance Company Settlements
Filing an uninsured motorist claim is different from a standard insurance claim. When you file a standard claim, your insurance company will negotiate and reach an agreement with the other person’s insurance company. Your payment will come from the other person’s insurance company.
When you file an uninsured motorist claim, your own insurance company will pay the claim.
What if you can’t come to an agreement with the insurance company? If you are filing a claim that will be paid with the other party’s insurance, you can file a lawsuit if you don’t believe you are getting a fair amount.
An uninsured motorist claim is different. If you don’t feel the insurance company is offering enough money to properly compensate you, you’ll go to arbitration. In this case, you and the insurance company will appear in front of an arbitrator, who acts as a judge. Their determination will be final.
Filing a Lawsuit
There are some reasons you may want to file a lawsuit after an accident with an uninsured motorist. If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, this is the best way to get compensation.
If you have uninsured motorist coverage, but it doesn’t cover all the damages, you may want to file a lawsuit to make up the difference.
While you can navigate this process on your own, your chances of success are much better if you work with an attorney.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer at Ledger Law Firm
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, contact the Ledger Law Firm. Call us now at (800) 300-0001, or use our free consultation form. Our experienced attorneys are happy to discuss your case and options.
