In an ideal world, every driver would possess insurance before setting out on the roads. Of course, this is often not how things play out. Being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver can potentially be very costly.
It is vital to know how to protect yourself from uninsured drivers and what steps you can take if you have had the misfortune of being involved in an accident.
Make sure you obtain an accident report
Uninsured drivers are likely to discourage you from reporting the incident to the police. However, you should stand firm. It is vital that police are called to the scene of an accident to record any injuries and damages and protect your interests.
Take some photos
Having photos that document any damages, skid marks, broken glass and other visible signs of the wreck could be extremely useful for you — especially as you try to show the severity of your injuries.
Get the driver’s contact information
Ask the officer who responds to the scene of the wreck to provide you with the other driver’s contact information. Even if they have no insurance, you may need this for your own insurance claim.
If there are any other adult passengers in the vehicle, take a note of their details, too. Furthermore, if there were other adult witnesses on the scene, be sure to record their names and contact information as well.
Contact your insurance company
Despite the other driver being uninsured, you are still obliged to inform your own insurance company about the incident. Failing to report an accident could invalidate your insurance and you may not be covered in the future. Plus, if you hope to file an “uninsured motorist” claim against your own insurance company for your losses, you need to make sure you report the wreck right away.
Seek medical attention
It is imperative that you are medically assessed after an accident. Even what appears to be minor injuries initially could turn out to be more impactful in the long run. Additionally, your medical treatment will be logged, meaning that you have a definitive link between the accident and your injuries.
Taking these steps goes a long way toward protecting your future interests. Just because the other driver doesn’t have insurance, that doesn’t mean you’re out of legal options. If you’ve been injured in a wreck, you need to find out more about your rights.