Steps to Take After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver
Posted in Car accidents on February 19, 2024
Individuals involved in an accident with an uninsured driver should take steps quickly to ensure their well-being and help preserve the integrity of an insurance claim or potential personal injury lawsuit.
Immediate Steps Following the Accident
After an accident occurs, the scene can be chaotic. This is a confusing time for every person involved because nobody expected an accident in the first place. Right after the accident happens, your number one concern is not about the types of insurance coverage the other parties have. The priority is to first ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers. If it is safe to do so, you can check the safety of others involved.
The police need to get to the scene of just about every accident that occurs in Tennessee, per state law. Even if you are unsure about whether or not the incident is severe enough for an official report, call 911 and let the police come to the scene of the incident. The police can come and gather every party’s insurance information, and if one party does not have insurance, it is likely that law enforcement officials will issue a citation to that person.
Handling Communication at the Scene
When involved in an accident with an uninsured driver in Tennessee, handling communication at the scene with care is crucial. It is important to avoid admissions of liability, as anything you say could be used against you later. Interact with the other party involved to exchange necessary information, such as contact details, but be cautious about discussing any specifics. The focus should be on gathering facts without assigning blame or admitting fault.
Medical Attention and Documentation
Individuals involved in accidents with uninsured drivers should seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the incident occurs. If the injuries are noticeable, medical treatment should be provided at the scene of the incident, and the victim should go right to the emergency room. However, the signs and symptoms of some injuries may not show up until hours or even days after the incident occurs. Seeking prompt medical care can help uncover these hidden injuries before you even know about them, and this can help prevent long-term health consequences.
We encourage you to keep detailed records of any medical care you receive, as well as any expenses arising as a result of your treatments. This can include lost income if you are unable to work while you recover from your injuries.
Keep Track of Other Expenses As Well
Aside from thoroughly documenting medical treatment, we encourage you to speak to your employer to gain immediate documentation of any lost wages you incur. In addition to medical expenses and lost income, there may be other losses you experience as a result of the uninsured motorist collision. This can include expenses you may not think are related to the incident but certainly could be. For example, if you are unable to perform yard work or household chores as a result of your injuries and the recovery process, you may need to hire someone to help you. These types of expenses can be included in the final compensation payment, whether that comes through an insurance settlement or as a result of a civil claim against the at-fault party.
Reporting the Accident to Insurance Companies
You will need to report the incident to your insurance carrier, preferably on the same day the incident occurs. When you make your initial report, you do not have to go into much detail. You can usually file a report online or through your insurance carrier’s mobile app, and the carrier only needs basic information at first. However, if you know that the other driver did not have insurance, go ahead and let your carrier know this ahead of time so they are aware when they begin investigating the claim.
You may need to seek assistance from a Nashville car accident attorney in order to ensure you receive fair treatment and refer any further communication from insurance claims adjusters to your lawyer. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, you will likely be able to use this coverage to recover some compensation for your losses. However, uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory in Tennessee.
What if You Don’t Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
We strongly encourage you to examine your insurance policy to determine whether or not you have uninsured motorist coverage, and if you do not, consider purchasing this type of coverage. The reality is that there are a significant number of uninsured drivers intimacy, and uninsured motorist coverage can offer some protection.
In the event an uninsured motorist causes the collision and you do not have any uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the allegedly negligent driver. However, recovering compensation in these circumstances can be challenging. Generally, if individuals do not have the financial resources to pay for auto insurance, they are not going to have the assets to pay for your damages. However, that does not mean you should not move forward with a claim. When you work with an attorney, they may be able to discover alternative routes for securing compensation from an at-fault party.
Paying for a Rental Vehicle After an Uninsured Motorist Collision
After a collision with an uninsured motorist in Tennessee, your vehicle may need to undergo repairs, or you may even need to replace your vehicle. Unfortunately, this can take some time, which you may not have if you need transportation to and from your destination on a regular basis.
You may be able to get your insurance carrier to pay for a rental vehicle after your collision occurs. We encourage you to examine your policy to see whether or not you have paid for optional rental vehicle coverage. This type of coverage is not overly expensive, and many individuals actually carry this coverage without realizing it. Typically, rental vehicle coverage will pay for a certain dollar value towards the rental each day for a specific time frame, usually 30 days.