Having a certain, minimum amount of auto insurance is compulsory in every single state in the United States, except for New Hampshire. If a motorist does not carry the proper amount of auto insurance, they are not legally permitted to drive a vehicle.
Unfortunately, not all drivers follow the roles. If you happen to be one of the unlucky individuals who is involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, then the steps you take after can impact your ability to recover compensation.
Keep reading to learn some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind after being involved in this type of accident.
DON’T Take Cash from Uninsured Drivers at the Scene of the Accident
With one of every eight drivers on the road not having proper insurance coverage, it’s not completely unlikely you will be involved in an accident with one of these individuals. If this happens, you may be tempted to take cash from the uninsured driver, rather than trading insurance and contact information.
There is no scenario where this is a good idea. It’s extremely challenging to estimate the repair costs you are going to face, even when the damage appears to be minimal. There may be hidden structural issues that could call the repair bill to skyrocket. Another reason you should never just “take the money and run” is because some injuries won’t be apparent right away.
In these situations, the best thing you can do is to gather their information, contact the police, and seek legal assistance. This is going to give you the best chance possible to recover the compensation you really deserve from the at-fault, uninsured driver.
DO Seek Medical Attention
If medical responders do show up at the scene of your accident with an uninsured driver, you need to request an evaluation. After the initial evaluation, you also need to go to your own doctor.
In some cases, it can take several hours, or even days, for your injury symptoms to show up. By scheduling an appointment with your doctor, you can have any medical issues identified right away. This can help improve the treatment you receive and reduce your total recovery time.
Also, if you hire an injury lawyer, they can use this information against the claim you file against the uninsured driver.
Don’t Forget to Take Pictures
It’s important to capture any damages that happened to your vehicle or other personal property due to the accident. In addition to the damage that your vehicle experienced, it’s also a good idea to capture photos of the direction each vehicle was traveling, the traffic signs, and the uninsured driver’s license plate. All these details are going to be important when you file a claim.
DO Call the Police
It’s important to call the police if you are in an accident that causes over $1,000 in property damage, any type of injury, or death according to information from the DMV. Even in situations where you don’t feel like you have been injured, you need to contact law enforcement officers.
The officer that comes to the scene will create an accident report. This is something your injury lawyer can use to prove liability or negligence.
If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, be sure to keep the do’s and don’ts here in mind. This will help you recover the compensation you deserve.
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