27 Feb CAR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED DRIVERS
Posted By Gruenberg Kelly Della || 27-Feb-2018
What to Do When You’re in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver
When you are in an accident, you should always pull over and exchange information with the driver. If you are sharing information with another motorist and realize they do not have car insurance, you may be unsure what to do. If the uninsured driver was responsible for the accident and your damages or injuries are serious, this can become very problematic for you as you seek compensation for your medical bills, auto repairs, etc.
As soon as you find out the other driver does not have auto insurance, there are a few things you should do:
- Ensure the contact information they have given you is accurate by testing the phone number, looking at their personal identification, and so on.
- File an uninsured motorist claim with your automobile insurance provider. Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you when another driver is at fault for your accident, injuries, and damages, but does not have the insurance coverage or personal assets to pay up. It is imperative that you do so as soon as possible, as uninsured and underinsured motorist claims typically have a particularly short statute of limitations, which can be as brief as 30 days.
- Get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney from Gruenberg Kelly Della. You may need to take legal action against the driver who hurt you or ensure your own insurance company provides you with the level of compensation you require. In either case, wise legal counsel is invaluable and essential to making sure you have what you need to heal and cover your accident-related expenses.
The above steps can (and should) also be taken in the event you are involved in a hit and run accident or if the driver responsible leaves the scene of the accident without supplying accurate or sufficient personal information.
If you have been involved in an accident with a driver who is uninsured or who has left the scene of the accident without providing critical information, call (888) 305-6372 to speak to a personal injury lawyer in Long Island.
What Should I Do if the Other Driver’s Auto Insurance Isn’t Enough?
Perhaps you have been in a car accident and have exchanged information with the other driver and begun the process of working with their insurance company, only to find out that their coverage is not sufficient to cover the costs of your auto repairs, bodily injuries, and other damages or losses.
If underinsured motorist coverage is part of your personal auto insurance policy, filing an underinsured motorist claim should be your first move. Your insurance company may reimburse you for the related costs and leave you without any need to take further legal action. Similarly to uninsured motorist claims, it is critical that you file a claim with your insurance provider as soon as possible, as you are often given a brief window of time to do so.
Even if your insurance company responds positively to your underinsured motorist claim and makes up for some of your outstanding injury-related costs, there is still a chance even this will not be enough. If your injuries are serious and costly, such as in cases of traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, or paralysis, you may have to file a lawsuit in order to recover the remaining amount needed to afford important treatments and be reimbursed for large medical expenses.
Our Long Island Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Recover the Costs Associated with Your Injuries
At Gruenberg Kelly Della, we understand how scary and confusing the aftermath of a serious accident can be, and we are committed to simplifying things as much as possible. When you bring in our team of experienced personal injury attorneys, you can be sure we will do everything possible to hold the other driver accountable for the damage they have done. We are also prepared to help you explore every available avenue when it comes to reimbursement and compensation for damages and losses associated with your accident.
Whatever you do, don’t go in alone. Speak to one of our helpful team members today by calling (888) 305-6372. You can also send us an email to schedule your complimentary consultation.