According to recent statistics, there are approximately 6 million car accidents every year. Anytime you drive your car, you risk getting in a car accident. These are never pleasant experiences, but they are even worse when an uninsured driver causes one. If you get in an accident with an uninsured driver, what happens? Here are several things to know if this ever happens to you.
Your Policy Might Cover the Accident
Many people drive without auto insurance, but this is never a good idea. When someone drives without coverage, they are breaking the law. As such, you should have an auto insurance policy. If you do, your policy might cover the accident. To find out, check your policy to see if you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages.
Most standard auto insurance policies include these coverage types. The purpose of having uninsured coverage is to have protection when accidents occur with uninsured drivers. Underinsured motorist coverage protects you when someone causes an accident when they do not have enough auto insurance coverage.
If you have these types on your policy, you can file a claim with your insurance company. They can then pay up to a certain amount to you for compensation. The amount they pay depends on the coverage you have and the damages you experienced.
When you find out the other driver does not have insurance, make sure you get the person's information, including their name, license plate number, and phone number. Also, make sure the police come to the accident scene to write a report.
You Can Also Sue the Person
While your auto insurance policy might provide protection for accidents caused by uninsured drivers, your insurance company does not always have the responsibility to have to pay for these types of accidents. Therefore, you have the legal right to sue the driver that caused the accident. You can sue the person for all the losses you experienced from the accident.
Additionally, the police can press charges against the driver for not having insurance as it is illegal to drive a car without having auto insurance. You can talk to your insurance agent to find out other steps you can take after this happens.
If you want to have enough protection with your auto insurance, make sure you talk to an agent about the types of coverages you can purchase for your policy. Contact an auto insurance provider for more information.
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