CAR ACCIDENT – What to do when Injured in an Uninsured Accident

CAR ACCIDENT – What to do when Injured in an Uninsured Accident

August 7, 2019

Clients often ask what to do when they find themselves injured in an uninsured accident.  In situations where there is an uninsured accident, uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage is essential.  Prior to an uninsured accident we would hope that California drivers confirmed they were adequately covered and protected under their own uninsured motorist coverage.  If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation, of being injured in an uninsured accident, these are the steps to follow:

  1. Call the police, notify them that the other driver is uninsured and demand that a traffic collision report be completed
  2. Do not agree to settle or resolve a dispute privately with an uninsured driver; and most definitely not at the scene of the uninsured accident when damages are unknown.
  3. Despite the other driver being uninsured, exchange any and all information including: Driver license; Name, Address and Phone Number; License Plate; VIN number and other vehicle information; Passenger information
  4. While still at the scene of an uninsured accident take pictures of the following: The Uninsured Car; Uninsured Accident Scene; All other Cars involved in the Uninsured Accident; Any visible bodily injures or sustained damages from the Uninsured Accident
  5. Call your own Insurance Carrier and advise them that you were involved in an uninsured accident and demand a copy of your uninsured motorist coverage policy.

If you have any questions about your uninsured motorist coverageor were involved in an uninsured accident, we invite you to call us today at 619-432-5145 for a free consultation with one of our experienced uninsured accident attorneys and uninsured motorist lawyers.

The various types of auto insurance coverage, including uninsured motorist is explained below.

 

Type of Insurance WHO does it Cover? WHAT does it Cover?
Liability Insurance Other/Non-Policyholder

 

Liability insurance compensates a person other than the policyholder for personal injury or property damage. This could be the cost of medical care for people injured in an accident or the repair cost of damage to other vehicles.
Medical Payment

(Med Pay)

Policyholder Medical Payments (often called Med Pay) covers the medical payments of all passengers in the policyholder’s vehicle if they are injured in an accident. Med Pay will cover the medical costs resulting from an auto accident, regardless of who was at fault.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist

(UM/UIM)

Policyholder Uninsured motorist coverage protects the policyholder if the holder is in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t carry liability insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage, on the other hand, steps in when the policyholder is in an accident with an at-fault driver whose liability limits are too low to cover the damage or medical expenses
Physical Damage Coverage Policyholder’s Vehicle Automobile insurance coverage that insures against damage to the policyholder’s own vehicle.  Coverage is provided for perils such as collision, vandalism, theft, fire etc…

 

 

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