What Should I Do if I Am in an Accident With an Uninsured Motorist?

 Posted on June 06, 2019 in Personal Injury

Picture this: You are in your car, stopped at a red light. The light turns green, so you hit the gas, but all of a sudden, a car running a red light comes out of nowhere and slams into the side of your vehicle. You put your hazard lights on and get out of your vehicle, trying to assess any damage to you or your car. You talk to the other driver and ask for their insurance information, but the other driver does not have insurance. What do you do in a situation like this?

Uninsured motorist collisions happen more often than you might think. According to the latest data available from the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 13 percent, or one in eight, motorists were uninsured in the United States in 2015. Even if a person has insurance, his or her coverage might not fully cover the costs of the damages sustained in an accident. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, here are a few tips to follow:

• Call emergency services. The first thing you should do is call 911. Inform the dispatcher if anyone is hurt so an ambulance can be dispatched, if necessary. Police at the scene will compile information into an official police report that can be useful when filing a claim with your insurance company.

• Exchange information with the other driver. If you ask for the other driver’s information, they might tell you that they do not have insurance. Even if this is true, you should still be sure to get the driver’s contact information, such as their name and phone number, so you or your insurance company can get in touch with them later if needed.

• Gather information and take photographs. How well you gather details and document information can affect the settlement you receive from your insurance company. The more evidence you have when you contact your insurance agency, the better the chance for receiving the compensation you deserve. You should try to collect details such as the type of vehicle the other person was driving, their license plate number, weather conditions, road conditions, the date and time of the accident, and any witness testimonies and contact information you can find.

• Contact an attorney before talking to your insurance company. Even if the other driver does not have insurance, you may have uninsured motorist coverage under your own insurance policy. In Illinois, liability insurance policies automatically contain bodily injury coverage for accidents involving uninsured motorists. However, before speaking to your insurance company, you should consult with an attorney who can help you understand the full extent of your damages and your options for recovering compensation. Your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure that the settlement fully addresses your injuries and damage to your vehicle.

Contact a Lombard Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been in an accident with a person who did not have insurance or who did not have enough insurance coverage, you should get in touch with a knowledgeable DuPage County uninsured motorist accident attorney. At the Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we can help you deal with your insurance company, ensuring that you get the compensation you need to pay for your damages. Call our Lombard office today at 630-932-9100 to schedule a free consultation.