What Should I Do if I Was in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver?
Car and motorcycle accidents are unavoidable and can happen to anyone. After an accident, getting compensation from the insurance company is your right, but what happens if the other driver is uninsured?
According to a study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), about 10.6% of drivers in Nevada don’t have car insurance. This is pretty similar to the national average, which is 12.6%. Another survey done by the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety found that the number of people who died in car crashes in Nevada went up by 0.3% from 2020 to 2021.
Not all of these crashes are caused by uninsured drivers, but people who don’t have insurance are more likely to get into accidents because they don’t have coverage and might drive in risky ways. In these types of cases, it is best to get help from an accident attorney reno to easily deal with the process.
What should you do if you are involved in an accident?
Here is a step-by-step method that you can follow after an accident.
- If you have Injuries
If you have suffered any injuries, you need to call 911 to get immediate medical help.
- Do not leave the accident scene
Always stay at the place of the accident. Do not leave the accident scene without informing the police, even if nobody looks hurt and the accident doesn’t seem serious.
- Collect evidence in the form of information
If you are in a healthy condition and you can collect evidence, use your phone to take pictures and take snapshots of any damage to your vehicle. Try to write down everything you can about the accident, the other vehicle, and the person driving it. Just make sure you are not getting in the way of the cops or any emergency crews while you’re gathering info and taking pictures.
- Uninsured Accident Coverage
If your car insurance includes coverage for uninsured drivers, you can make a claim with your own insurance company in case of an accident with a driver who does not have insurance.
This coverage can help pay for damage to your car and medical bills if you are hurt, even if the other driver flees the scene or if there is no direct contact with your car. For example, if another car suddenly cuts into your lane and you swerve to avoid it, causing a crash, that’s considered a “phantom vehicle” accident.
In these cases, you might have a lower deductible, which is the amount you have to pay before your insurance kicks in. However, to make sure your claim goes through, you need to report the accident to the police within 72 hours.
It is best to contact an accident lawyer reno in these types of uninsured driver cases as they will fight for your justice and make the process easier for you. Plus, they are pros when it comes to dealing and negotiating with Insurance companies and helping you get the compensation you deserve.
What happens if your insurance plan does not have uninsured driver coverage?
Your car insurance might not cover you if you are in an accident with someone who is uninsured. If your car insurance does not have uninsured motorist coverage, you will have to use other types of coverage you might have. For example, if your car is damaged, your collision coverage might pay for repairs. If you are injured, you could use your medical insurance to cover medical bills.
If you don’t have any of these coverages, you will have to pay for repairs, medical bills (unless you have health insurance), and maybe a rental car out of your pocket. Then, you might need to sue the at-fault person who caused the accident to get your money.
We will help you with filing an insurance claim for your accident with an uninsured driver.
If you have been in a crash with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, don’t worry. Get in touch with Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney Law Firm. Our Reno-based accident lawyers are here to help you through it all. We will guide you and fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t let a lack of insurance coverage stress you out financially. Call us now at 775-335-9999 for a consultation about your situation. We are here to help you at every turn.