What to Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver

Unfortunately, car accidents happen all the time. If you are the victim of a car accident it can be a scary, traumatic, and life altering experience. For victims of car accidents there can be some comfort found in the compensation you might receive from your own insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company. 

Injured in a crash with an uninsured driver? Learn your rights, options for compensation, and how Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys can help you recover.

But what do you do when the accident involves an uninsured motorist? Can you still sue? Will you be able to get any compensation at all? Are there laws and rules surrounding uninsured drivers?

We will cover all of these topics and more, which will hopefully reassure you that if you find yourself a victim of a car accident with someone that is uninsured there is still hope for compensation.

Steps to Take After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

If you find yourself the victim of an accident with an uninsured driver, the initial process of getting compensated for your injuries is the same as any other accident.

• On the scene, if you are able, it is a good idea to take photos of the scene to document and use for later. 
• Call the police so that a police report can be written up and document the accident. 
• Exchange information with the other driver including contact info and insurance.
• It is important to seek medical treatment after the accident and follow up with your primary care physician for ongoing treatment. 
• Report the crash to your insurance company, this can help get your No-Fault benefits paid, which can include medical bills and wage loss.

Compensation for Pain and Suffering From an Uninsured Driver

If you receive your No-Fault benefits and thus have your medical bills and wage loss paid, you may still find you want compensation for your pain and suffering or excess bills your own insurance doesn’t cover. This is where negotiating with the other driver’s insurance comes into play. 

In the case where both drivers have insurance, normally, if you bring a suit against the other driver’s insurance company they will have a policy that lays out how much money they will pay to a victim of a car accident. This could be a $250,000/$500,000 policy, which means the max a victim could get would be $250,000. If more than one person was injured, the most everyone can get collectively is $500,000. 

What are my options for recovering from an uninsured driver?

However, if we’re talking about a case with an uninsured driver, then they will not have a policy like this. There are a couple options for securing compensation after an accident with an uninsured driver:

1. Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage on your policy: Check your current auto insurance policy to see if you have included uninsured driver coverage. If you are uncertain if you have uninsured driver coverage, you can call an experienced car accident attorney to look over your declarations sheet to help you figure it out or call your insurance company. This type of coverage is optional in Michigan so it’s important to find out. We recommend adding this coverage to your policy.
2. Was the driver using someone else’s car during the accident? Your attorney will check the police report and then investigate if the car owner has auto insurance.
3. Is there an employer that could be held liable? Similar to the above, if the uninsured driver was driving a company vehicle or was driving for something work related, then the company can be held liable for any damage caused by the uninsured driver.
4. Sue them in civil court. This may be hard to recover damages though due to the many nuances of cases with uninsured drivers. However, you may be able to sue the uninsured driver and hold them personally liable for any damages they caused.
5. Reach out to your own insurance. Your own insurance may be able to cover some medical bills and wage loss expenses.

There are very few ways to gain compensation from an uninsured driver if you don’t have uninsured driver coverage. So, it is a good idea to reach out to your insurance provider in order to make sure you can receive compensation if you are the victim of an accident involving an uninsured driver.

What are the Consequences for an Uninsured Driver?

In Michigan, you have to carry some amount of auto insurance if you are driving a vehicle. If you are found driving without car insurance you can be fined, have your license suspended, or your vehicle registration revoked.

If you get into a car accident as an uninsured driver and someone sues you for excess wage loss or pain and suffering, you can be held personally liable for the damage you caused.

If you are hurt in a car accident, you are not eligible to receive wage loss, medical bills, or other auto insurance benefits.

So, it’s a good idea to get insurance to help protect yourself.

Victim of a Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver? Call Us Today!!

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident with an uninsured driver, Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys can help. Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of auto insurance, No-Fault benefits, and uninsured driver cases.

We’ll conduct a thorough investigation, preserve evidence, and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call today at 248-413-8022.