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What to do when you’re injured in an auto accident involving an uninsured motorist

Approximately 6 million auto accidents happen in the U.S. each year. Injuries sustained as a result of a crash can be damaging – both physically and financially. Often, once fault in an accident is determined, an insurance carrier will provide compensation to victims. However, if the driver at fault is uninsured, there are additional measures that must be taken by the victim’s attorney to recoup the appropriate compensation for injuries and related damages after a car accident.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), an estimated 1 in 8 drivers is uninsured. Often, when these types of collisions occur, victims are faced with two options when seeking compensation for their injuries and related damages:

  • The first option is to sue the uninsured motorist for damages.
  • The other option is to use the uninsured motorist benefit on an insurance policy and file a claim for compensation.

An exception, however, is if the accident occurs in a no-fault state, meaning no matter which driver is determined to be at fault, the injured person’s insurance company will provide compensation for damages including some (or all) medical bills and lost earnings. No fault states include Florida, Minnesota, and North Dakota.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can serve as a vital form of protection in the event of an auto accident. This type of coverage reimburses policyholders in an accident involving an uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver. Coverage includes damage to your vehicle as well as compensation for injuries sustained in an accident involving an uninsured (or underinsured) driver. Twenty states and the District of Columbia have mandatory requirements for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, while other states are required to offer it to its insurance customers. Typically, uninsured motorist coverage may not exceed the amount of your standard liability coverage.

In certain states, such as California, victims who have been injured due to the negligent actions of an uninsured driver and subsequently make an uninsured motorist insurance claim are protected against increased premium rates as a result of the claim – a key difference to note between auto accidents involving an uninsured motorist versus another insurance policy holder. If you, or someone you love, has been injured in a car accident involving an uninsured driver, it is important to identify how your insurance policy may be applied. An experienced attorney will be most helpful in these types of claims. If the policy does not cover an adequate amount of the costs related to your injuries, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney can help you best navigate your options to ensure compensation for all related damages is received by the injured party. Don’t fight an insurance company alone; when you work with Bond Legal, you get the comfort of knowing you have a trusted partner behind you all the way. Call us today at 866-423-7724 to schedule your free initial consultation.