What Happens When You Get Hit By an Uninsured Driver?

You’re on your way to work and all of a sudden you’ve been side swiped or rear ended by another car. A car accident has interrupted your day. You have to wait for the cops to file a report, make an insurance claim, and get your car fixed—a whole list of things you hadn’t planned on needing to do when you left the house in the morning.

But wait. You find out the other driver is uninsured. What do you do when you get hit by an uninsured driver? Can you still make an insurance claim? Do you have to pay out of pocket for your vehicle’s damages?

The first step is getting in contact with a California car accident lawyer. We can help ensure that you don’t have to pay a dime for any damages you didn’t cause.

But there are a few other things to keep in mind if you’ve been in a car accident with an uninsured driver.

Determine Fault

First things first, having a police officer come to the scene to write up a report and determine who was at fault is essential to ensuring you don’t have to pay out of pocket for the damages done to your car. California is not a “no-fault state,” which means the driver who caused the accident has to pay for the damages.

File a Claim

You’ll have to file an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company. Don’t wait. Many insurers only provide you with 30 days to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, and you don’t want to miss out.

If you don’t have uninsured motorist protection, you may have to file under collision instead. Talk with your insurance agent to figure out your options.

Talk to a California Uninsured Motorist Attorney

Even if you do have uninsured motorist protection, it might not cover all of your expenses. Talking to an experienced California car accident lawyer is one of the best ways to get all of your questions answered following your accident and ensure you get as much compensation as possible.

This accident wasn’t your fault. You were following traffic rules and minding your own business when an uninsured driver hit you. And you should have to face no consequences for their actions or their lack of insurance. Allow one of our experienced attorneys to help you get the compensation you deserve after your car accident. Call 1-844-MAYFIRM today to schedule a free case review.