Although almost every state requires some amount of liability car insurance, some drivers still forgo insurance. The Insurance Research Council found that about 1 in 8 drivers don’t have auto insurance.

You may have a perfect driving record and always follow the rules of the road, but you’re still at risk when it comes to accidents with uninsured drivers.

Prepare for the unexpected and gain the confidence to take the next steps if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. 

For additional assistance, contact an expert car accident attorney for a free consultation. We’ll show you the best ways to protect your rights and ensure you aren’t paying out of pocket.

What happens if an uninsured driver hits you?

Car accident claims follow similar steps: obtain the other driver’s insurance, file your claim through their insurance, and collect your damages. When an uninsured driver hits you, it breaks the whole system.

Now, you have to figure out how to collect damages from someone else so you aren’t stuck paying out of pocket for an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Do’s and Don’ts After You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver

After you’ve been in an accident, your first response is to trade information with the other driver. But what happens if they say that they don’t have any insurance? This complicates the process and changes the steps that you should take at the scene of the accident.

Follow these do’s and don’ts to protect your right to compensation:

• DO call the police. In Florida, you are legally required to call the police to the scene of an accident with over $500 of damages. Regardless of whether or not the other driver has insurance, you’ll want the police on the scene to create a police report. This report can be vital in proving your claim for damages.
  
  
• DON’T accept money. Uninsured drivers may try to pay you on the spot to avoid legal repercussions, such as fines, for driving without insurance. When you aren’t sure what the cost of your damages is, accepting the cash may seem like a good idea. But personal injuries from car accidents can often require long-term rehabilitation. It’s a better idea to wait until you know how much your damages cost.
  
  
• DO exchange information. Gather the contact information of the other driver, including their vehicle details. You will also want to get contact information from any witnesses on the scene. You may need their statements later to prove your case.
  
  
• DON’T forget to take photos. Photographic evidence of damages, road conditions, and traffic signs can help when you file your car accident claim for damages.
  
  
• DO gather details. Create your own timeline, get the names and ID numbers of all involved, and note any pertinent information that could help when you file your claim with your insurance company.
  
  
• DON’T ever chase a driver. Sometimes uninsured drivers flee the scene of an accident. Do your best to capture their license plate number and vehicle model, but never put yourself at risk by giving chase. 

Who pays for damages if you’re hit by an uninsured driver?

Typically, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying for damages in a car accident. However, if you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver, they do not have an insurance company to pay out the compensation that you are entitled to.

When this is the case, it becomes more difficult for you to collect compensation to cover your medical and property damage expenses.

The most common avenue to recover damages is to file a claim against your own insurance.

For assistance determining how to navigate collecting damages if you have been hit by an uninsured driver, contact our car accident lawyers today for a no-obligation consultation.

Insurance Claims Against Uninsured Drivers

Florida is a no-fault state. That means that a driver must always first collect personal injury coverage out of your own insurance policy. All Florida drivers are required to have $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This covers up to $10,000 of medical bills and certain other losses after a car accident.

Since most car accident injuries exceed $10,000 in bills, you may be able to sue the other driver to recover the remaining losses and property damage that you suffered.

Florida’s car insurance requirements can include uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage in some packages. The best way to protect yourself from uninsured drivers is to have UIM coverage with a high liability.

Uninsured motorist coverage can only cover personal injuries as a result of a collision with an uninsured motorist. To collect damages for property damage, you would need another form of insurance.

While there is a myriad of insurance options that could help protect you, many insurance drivers aren’t as covered as they need to be. In this case, the best recourse can be to file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. You’ll need an expert car accident lawyer who will seek the highest compensation.

You’ve lost enough after being involved in an auto collision. Our team of expert car accident attorneys won’t let you lose anymore. Call us today to speak with a trial-tested car accident attorney.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible

If you have been involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, your best move to protect your rights is to call a car accident attorney. As expert car accident lawyers, we know that you have suffered enough. Our expert car accident lawyers work across Florida to protect victims of reckless driving and negligent individuals who put the safety of all Floridians at risk.

Call us today to discuss your options for collecting damages.