In the United States, the law requires drivers to have a minimum level of automobile insurance in 48 out of 50 states. Nonetheless, estimates suggest that between 10-20% of people on the road do not have any sort of coverage. Given these numbers, what happens if you are unlucky enough for someone in that 10-20% to crash into your car? If this does happen to you, it is important to understand your state laws. In some states, there are no-fault insurance policies that can offer additional compensation options, but if your state is not one of those, you will have to look at other ways to cover costs related to the accident. Regardless of where you live, you should follow these five steps if you ever find yourself in this situation.
1. Contact the Police
Even if an insured motorist begs you not to contact law enforcement, it really is in your best interest to do so. When a car accident occurs, it creates a delicate legal situation that can quickly become messy without having an official police report to provide to insurance companies or legal teams. If you want to get the compensation you deserve, police input will be critical.
2. Never Accept Liability
Watch what you say. Maybe you have good intentions by apologizing for the stress the accident might have caused, but someone may misinterpret you. For this reason, it is best to provide only the necessary contact information to the other driver. Save the details for the police and your insurance company.
3. Take Care of Your Health
After an accident, you might feel okay, but you may be experiencing internal injuries that you cannot see or feel at the time of the crash. Take the time to check yourself into a nearby urgent care to make sure everything is okay.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Next, call your insurance provider. It is important to notify your insurer of the accident as soon as you can so they can be aware of what has happened.
5. Hire an Attorney
Dealing with everything that follows a crash can be difficult, but you do not have to do it alone. An experienced car accident lawyer, can help you sort through all of the information, negotiate with your insurance companies and support you throughout your claim.
Car crashes are scary in general, but collisions involving uninsured drivers can be even more so. To make sure you receive the best compensation possible, contact a legal professional today to discuss your options.