Car safety is a big and rational fear for many people on the road, as over 40,000 Americans die in car accidents, and 5 million suffer medically consulted injuries. However, crashes are a tragic but inevitable consequence of enjoying the convenience of motor vehicles. Of course, because so much of our life revolves around either driving a vehicle or utilizing public transportation, avoiding car use is out of the question, as many of us wouldn’t be able to get to work.

The circumstances of car accidents cause massive stress for drivers. Even when there are no serious injuries, property damages can ruin your daily routine, even if you are properly compensated for the accident through your insurance provider. However, being hit by an uninsured driver is another unpredictable factor that can leave you feeling shocked, stressed, and vulnerable. In this difficult situation, it’s crucial to have a clear plan of action to protect your rights and recover your losses. Online platforms like ConsumerShield can help you connect with experienced attorneys who will help you receive appropriate compensation in cases where the insurance provider of the offender should cover all expenses.

To help drivers navigate this situation properly, we present a quick guide for necessary steps after getting hit by an uninsured driver. Here’s what you need to know.

Assess the Situation and Take Action

On top of the stress of a car accident that just happened, collisions with uninsured drivers bring additional stress and present unique challenges compared to collisions with insured motorists. Without the other driver’s insurance to cover your damages, you may feel frustrated and unsure if you will receive the compensation and avoid financial burdens.

However, your priority should be ensuring your safety after the accident. Remove yourself from the dangerous situation, and if possible, talk to witnesses and other involved drivers. Call emergency services, and try to remain calm as you manage the crisis.

While waiting, Collect all possible evidence, like photographs of vehicle damage, accident location, circumstances that led to the crash, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact information, and keep talking to people who saw what happened.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

After collecting all the evidence and finding out that the culprit of the car accident is not insured, report all the details to your insurance provider who will evaluate the situation. If they comply, ask the other driver to share details about their license and vehicle information for additional details that will help assess the case and avoid misunderstandings. However, if the guilty party is not willing to cooperate, your insurance company can help verify the other driver’s insurance status.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

As a crucial preparatory step, make sure to have uninsured motorist coverage before such an accident may occur. Without it, you may not receive compensation regardless of who is guilty. The coverage’s availability to compensate you depends entirely on whether you purchased the coverage as part of your policy, not on who was at fault in the accident. Uninsured Motorist Coverage also protects drivers from hit-and-run cases, a common occurrence when dealing with uninsured culprits.

According to the data from the Insurance Information Institute (III) data, there are three main types of protection:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Insurance. Covers medical expenses and lost wages for you and passengers.
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD). Covers vehicle and property damage.
• Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Protection. Bridges the gap when the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient.

While 20 US states require mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, there is no connection between such enforcement and the percentage of uninsured drivers. In 2022 District of Columbia reported the highest rates of 25.2% despite demanding coverage, while Wyoming only has 5.9% of drivers without such a package.

Best Course of Action after Being Hit by an Uninsured Driver

To properly handle the worries and the aftermath of an accident with an uninsured driver, connect with experienced attorneys who will help you pursue proper compensation or file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver if you believe the case is not being handled properly.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen many instances where insurance companies offer small compensation despite having proper coverage to deal with uninsured drivers. To avoid mistakes and loopholes within the system, use legal help to understand the full value of your claim before agreeing to any offers during negotiations.