What to Do If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver

Millions of car accidents happen every year. If you were the victim of a car accident and the other driver does not have insurance, you may be at a loss for what to do next. Find out how a personal injury lawyer can help you through this situation.

The state of Washington is ranked seventh in the country for the highest percentage of drivers without car insurance. With 17.4 percent of Washington’s population driving without vehicle insurance, this increases the likelihood of falling victim to a car accident caused by an uninsured driver.

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you are not out of luck. A personal injuries lawyer can help fight for the compensation you deserve.

The first thing you should do when involved in a car accident, regardless of whether or not the other driver has insurance, is to seek medical attention if necessary. Keeping a detailed record of any medical injury can help strengthen your personal injury case.

In addition to detailing medical injuries, it is essential to chronicle the accident scene through photos and taking the statement of any witnesses to the accident. Filing a police report will also aid in your personal injuries case and document who was at fault for the crash. As a victim of a car accident, another step you should take following the incident is contacting a personal injuries lawyer.

Liability for car accidents in Washington is determined by negligence laws. This means that the person found liable for causing the crash is responsible for the damages. Because of this law, it is vital to your case to make sure you follow the correct measures following a car accident to build your case. Personal injury lawyers are specialized in this area of the law and will assist you in creating a strong case.

When you are hit by an uninsured driver or involved in a hit-and-run, and experienced personal injuries lawyer can help you decide the best course of action to pursue justice. Many in this situation will file an uninsured motorist claim with their insurance company.

In these instances, the insurance company will typically reward you with the smallest amount of compensation possible – depending on your insurance coverage. Your personal injuries lawyer will guide you through the claim process and ensure you are providing the necessary evidence to your insurance company.

If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage on your insurance policy, you may be able to file a claim under your collision coverage. However, collision coverage will not reimburse you for any medical coverage, which could have a significant financial impact on you depending on the extent of the accident.

When a victim of an uninsured motorist claim does not receive enough compensation to cover their expenses resulting from the event, they may consider suing the other party and taking them to small claims court.

In instances such as these, it is important to look to your personal injury lawyer for advice. It is more than likely that the motorist does not have insurance because they cannot afford it, which means they do not have a large amount of assets. In cases like this, it could be more costly to you to file a claim with the likelihood of little reward.

Questions about a car accident? Contact Elsner Law Firm today