Getting in a car accident is bad enough. You may breathe a sigh of relief that everyone seems OK, and your vehicle wasn’t too badly damaged. When you talk to the other driver to exchange insurance information, you discover they don’t have any. This turns an already stressful situation into an even more frustrating one.
Someone else’s oversight shouldn’t give you more headaches than you already have. Jacoby & Jacoby has dealt with uninsured motorist accidents before, so we can help you fight your case to get the compensation you deserve. In the meantime, there’s plenty you can do in the immediate aftermath to set yourself up for a more successful case.
Stay Safe With Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage
In the state of New York, all motorists must have a basic level of car insurance. However, there are various levels of coverage you can obtain to be protected against a greater assortment of collisions. This includes uninsured motorist coverage that’ll give you peace of mind if you ever find yourself in that kind of situation.
There are two primary forms of uninsured motorist coverage to be aware of.
- Bodily Injury Coverage: This will cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering that you incur as a result of a car accident from an uninsured driver.
- Property Damage Coverage: This covers any damage done to your vehicle or other property, such as being hit while riding a bicycle, that comes from an uninsured motorist.
Steps to Take After Being Hit by an Uninsured Driver
Being in a car accident is stressful. Your thoughts are likely flying at a mile a minute, but you need to keep a level head and pursue some key steps to increase your likelihood of getting the compensation you deserve.
- Get Information: The other driver may not have insurance, so you should get as much information about them as possible. This includes a valid phone number and other details so that your legal team can reach out to them if necessary.
- Seek Medical Help: Even if you feel fine, you still want a doctor’s opinion. A lot of people feel fine immediately following a car crash due to adrenaline rushing through them, but they feel sore in subsequent days. From a legal perspective, you want to tie any injuries or health problems to the collision directly, so it’s paramount to get a medical check-up promptly.
- Call the Police: The other driver may be hesitant to get the police involved if they drove without auto insurance, but you need to look out for your own best interest. A police report can come in handy in court to detail who was at fault and determine the order of events that led to the collision.
- Take Pictures: You want to get as many photos as you can of the scene, including the damage to all vehicles involved as well as any injuries you sustained.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: You should file a claim with your insurance agency right away. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, then the agency should be able to handle your claim.
Legal Options for Those Hit by an Uninsured Motorist
Having insurance coverage for uninsured motorists helps streamline the process. However, if you don’t have that coverage, there are a couple of other options for seeking compensation.
For starters, you can sue the other motorist. This brings with it a lot of doubts, such as whether the motorist has any assets that are valuable enough to compensate you for any medical bills or lost wages you incur.
You may also want to seek compensation from the New York State Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation. This is a state-run fund that offers compensation to victims of car accidents from unidentified or uninsured drivers.
Avoid Non-Binding Agreements With Uninsured Drivers
If the other driver knows they don’t have insurance, they may try to convince you to avoid taking this case to court. This can take the form of offering you cash money not to file a claim. It can be tempting, but it’s always recommended to file a police report and contact your auto insurance provider no matter what.
The problem is that after an accident, you have no idea how costly your expenses will be. There might be medical expenses that drag on for months if the injuries are severe enough. You also have no idea how much it’ll take to repair your car or if you’ll need to take time off work to deal with doctor appointments.
It all adds up quickly. While a flash of cash may be tempting, you’re always better off going through more viable means to get compensation.
Contact a Long Island Attorney With Experience Dealing with Uninsured Motorists
We here at Jacoby & Jacoby have seen a lot over the years when it comes to personal injury cases. Don’t delay in contacting us if you want legal representation or just want to discuss your options. We provide free, no-obligation consultations to go over your options, so reach out today to get your life back on track.
