Sadly, road traffic crashes claim the lives of more than 1.35 million people around the world each year and cause up to 50 million injuries.
So, even if you’re the most careful and alert driver on the planet, you could end up in a car accident yourself at some point.
With so many accidents occurring each year, it’s a good job that car insurance is mandatory. If another vehicle crashes into you, you can easily claim on the insurance to cover the costs of property damage, medical bills for your injuries, and loss of earnings.
But what happens if the other driver is not insured? Things become more complex, which is why it’s a good idea to have uninsured motorist coverage as part of your car insurance.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Matters
Uninsured motorist coverage really matters. If you don’t have it and you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you could end up receiving no financial compensation, even when the other driver is at fault.
However, you may have other options for claiming compensation. You should seek advice from an experienced lawyer to find out what your options are.
A lawyer can also help in instances where a family member is killed due to another driver’s negligence, whether that driver is uninsured or not. Whether that occurs in London, Paris, or San Diego, California, contact a wrongful death attorney to handle the legal process of gaining financial compensation.
Financial concerns will then be one less burden during your time of shock, sadness, and grief.
What Exactly Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage is available in the United Kingdom, the United States, and most other countries.
By having the coverage as a standard add-on to your car insurance policy, you can ensure you get financial compensation for injuries caused to you and your passengers.
Sometimes, uninsured motorist coverage also covers damage to property, which would allow you to cover the costs of repairs to your vehicle.
For uninsured motorist coverage to payout after an accident, the other driver must be at fault. He or she must also have no vehicle insurance or not have insurance that meets the specific liability amounts required.
When you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can also gain pay-outs if the driver’s insurance company refuses to pay out, as long as the driver has an insurer.
What to Do When You’re Involved in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver
Once you have uninsured motorist coverage, you need to know what to do after being involved in an accident in which the driver is uninsured.
In the event of an accident in which the driver flees the scene or an accident in which the police do not respond, obtain as much information as you can from witnesses.
Get names and contact details. If you can, get the number plate of the car that caused the accident. You should also photograph the accident scene. If you’re unable to do so because you’re injured or in shock, ask a witness to take photos for you.
After you have sought medical attention, which you should do even if you have no visible injuries, contact your insurance company.
During the investigation, insurers will use the information you or the police gathered at the time of the accident. And you’ll need to provide your insurance company with copies of medical records and vehicle repair bills.
It’s important you file a claim as soon as possible because there’s usually a time limit on how long you’re able to wait before filing an uninsured motorist claim.