According to the California Highway Patrol, almost 1,500 car accidents happen daily. Car accidents can lead to significant financial strain due to medical bills, repair costs and loss of income. This financial burden becomes even more challenging when the person at fault does not carry auto insurance.
However, people in car accidents have avenues to seek compensation, even if the other party lacks insurance.
Uninsured motorist coverage
Many auto insurance policies include uninsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage protects policyholders when they are in an accident with an uninsured driver. It covers bodily injury and sometimes property damage that the policyholder sustains in the accident. If a driver carries uninsured motorist coverage, they should file a claim with their own insurance company to receive compensation.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage is another part of an auto insurance policy that can provide compensation after an accident. This coverage pays for repairing or replacing a policyholder’s car, regardless of who is at fault.
Medical payments coverage and personal injury protection
Medical payments coverage and personal injury protection are additional coverages that drivers can add to their insurance policies. These coverages pay for medical expenses related to the accident, regardless of who is at fault. They typically cover hospital stays, imaging costs, doctor visits and surgery expenses. Personal injury protection also covers lost wages and other non-medical expenses.
Suing the uninsured driver
In some cases, it might be possible to sue the uninsured driver for damages. However, this can be a challenging route to take, as it can be time-consuming, and you might not receive the immediate compensation you need to heal.
Being involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver can be a stressful and frustrating experience. Understanding all available options can help accident victims recover their losses and move forward after a car accident.