What Can You Do If an Uninsured Driver Hits You?

If you’ve ever been in a car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you know that the insurance of the at-fault driver pays for the damage. But what if the other driver doesn’t have insurance? It happens more often than you might think, despite strict laws in New York & the state of California requiring all drivers to have some form of car insurance. In fact, an estimated 15 percent of motorists choose to drive without any policy at all.

Getting into an accident with an uninsured driver can leave you with a lot of questions. Most notably, how can you still get the compensation you need to pay for property damages, medical bills, and lost income? Here’s everything you need to know.

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The Steps to Take After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

The process of obtaining the fair and just compensation you’re owed after a car accident—which can already be a convoluted and confusing process—becomes even more complicated if the at-fault driver is uninsured. Nevertheless, we’ve compiled a few steps that you can take in the moments, days, and weeks after your accident that will give you confidence in the event of the unexpected.

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woman calling car accident lawyers in new york city after a bike accident

Call the Police

After an accident, no matter if the at-fault driver has insurance, it’s important that you call the police. The officer will be able to keep an official record of the scene and the events leading up to the crash. In an insurance claim, if there is ever a dispute with the other driver regarding who’s at fault, the disagreement can boil down to your word versus theirs. Without official documentation, there’s no authorized record substantiating the actual events of the crash.

Seek Medical Attention

If you’ve been injured as a result of the accident, it’s important that you make that your focus. A serious injury—or any damage you think may need immediate medical attention—warrants an ambulance. If your injuries are relatively minor and you don’t think such measures are necessary, you should still visit the hospital as soon as possible after the events of the crash. In the same way that calling the police is important to officially document the accident, visiting a doctor is vital so that you can produce an authoritative record of the injuries you sustained and the compensation you will need to pay off those damages.

Doctor examining patient suffering from whiplash's neck and brace after a car accident

Seek Medical Attention

witness to a car accident talking with the police officer with victim of the car accident in the background

Find a Third-Party Witness

Official police documentation is important, but it can only go so far when the officer didn’t actually witness the crash. Sometimes it can be even more helpful to find a bystander, passerby driver, or anyone else who may have seen the full events of the crash as it occurred in real-time. A witness can make all the difference in helping you get the compensation you deserve.

Trade Information with the Other Driver

The other driver may not have insurance, but you should still plan to document their name, contact information, driver’s license number, and the make and model of their vehicle. If the other driver claims to have insurance—or if it’s expired or canceled—write that down too. The more information you can provide your attorney, the better.

two men taking pictures of their cars after a car accident

Trade Information with the Other Driver

Male driver taking a picture of his car damage after being in a car accident for his insurance claim, with a witness in the background

Document the Scene

Take pictures of anything and everything you think might be important. This may include vehicle damage, injuries, and the location of the crash. Remember, it’s better to have more information than less. Your attorney will be able to sort through all of the compiled evidence that may be useful in court.

Contact Our Best Car Accident Attorneys at The Barnes Firm

If you’ve been in a car accident with an uninsured driver, it may not be in your best interest to attack this alone. The trusted car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm have helped their clients get millions of dollars in compensation from settlements and verdicts and will fight for the compensation you deserve.

At The Barnes Firm, we strive to get our clients the best possible result, no matter the size or circumstances of the case. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our team of knowledgeable lawyers can handle your case and are available 24/7 to review your accident and answer your questions. To schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable auto accident attorneys, call The Barnes Firm or fill out our online contact form today.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

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