You’re driving down the road when a car runs a stop sign and hits you. Or maybe you’re waiting at a stop light and you’re rear-ended. Unfortunately, you quickly find out when you go to exchange insurance information that the other driver has no car insurance. Accident liability insurance is required in every state, including Alabama, but as you’ve just found out, that doesn’t mean that every driver follows the law. Now you’re left to determine what to do next.
If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, here are some things to do and not do at the accident scene:
Even if you feel fine and don’t think you were injured, you should still visit a doctor. Sometimes whiplash and other injuries may not show up until later. Or you may have soft tissue damage, internal bleeding or other serious injuries that you don’t know about. Also, having a doctor’s report will be valuable evidence to provide your insurance company in making your claim and should you decide to file a lawsuit against the other driver.
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible following the accident. Let the company know right away that the other driver was uninsured. When you call, have your file of information in front of you that contains the police report, the uninsured driver’s information, witness statements, your doctor’s report and anything else related to the accident.
Now that you know what to do if you’re hit by an uninsured driver, consider speaking with a car accident attorney who can further help you understand your rights. If you’ve been seriously injured or suffered extensive property damage, your insurance may not cover all of your medical and other bills. An attorney can assist you in determining whether it makes sense to possibly pursue a legal claim against the uninsured driver who caused your damages.
The seasoned car accident attorneys at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana, PC on Alabama’s Gulf Coast are here to answer any questions you may have. Contact us for a free consultation by calling our Foley office at (251) 444-7000, toll free at 855-390-5566, or visiting us online.