What happens if an uninsured motorist hits you

Freeway Insurance offers great car insurance coverage for low rates. Get a free quote online or call today at to speak with a live agent to get the coverage that best fits your needs. By admin. Ready to Get a Quick Quote?

Zip Code. Start Quote. Did a mechanical defect, especially one known but not addressed by the manufacturer, cause your accident? If so, you may have grounds for a claim against the vehicle manufacturer. Manufacturers must put out safe, roadworthy vehicles that do not pose an undue danger to the drivers of those vehicles or others who share the road with them. When they fail in that duty, they may end up on the line for some of your expenses. Mechanics often take care of complex repairs on vehicles.

If they fail to repair them properly, it could lead to an accident. Sometimes, mechanics may even inadvertently cause more damage to the vehicle. An honest mechanic will repair that damage and make the vehicle roadworthy before returning it.

Some mechanics, however, may attempt to hide an incomplete repair job or damage to the vehicle. You may not notice that damage until it leads to an accident. Did the owner of the vehicle knowingly allow an uninsured driver to get behind the wheel? Did the owner fail to properly maintain the vehicle? Sometimes, the owner, especially in the case of corporate or fleet ownership, may share liability for an accident that occurs in the vehicle.

Was the driver who caused your injuries working at the time of the accident? Working with a car accident attorney offers the best chance of identifying all parties that may have contributed to the accident. Often, those other parties may carry substantial insurance policies or have the resources that can help give you the compensation you need, even if the driver was uninsured. Regardless of whether the driver who hits you has insurance, you should take these five steps after the accident to protect yourself.

In the case of an uninsured motorist, these steps can prove even more critical. An uninsured motorist may attempt to tug at your heartstrings after an accident.

You may feel compelled to avoid reporting the accident due to emotional manipulation on the part of the liable driver.

Failing to report the accident, however, could prevent you from getting compensation, either from your insurance company or from any other parties that may have contributed to the accident.

Not only that, it could also make it very difficult to prove who caused the accident. You can also face legal penalties for leaving the scene of an accident unless you do so to seek medical care, summon help, or remove yourself from a potentially unsafe situation. Remain at the scene of the accident. Call Wait for the police to arrive. The police will collect vital information, including contact information for the liable party, any evidence from the accident, and information about who caused the accident.

The police report will provide a record of the accident. If you accept even partial liability for the accident, however inadvertently, you may find yourself on the line for a percentage of the damages. Offer honest answers to any questions asked by the police, but do not go into unnecessary detail or make any potentially incriminating statements.

You may believe, at the scene of the accident, that you did not suffer any injuries. Unfortunately, adrenaline can conceal many serious injuries until well after the fact.

Many auto accident victims discover injuries hours or even days after the accident. In the meantime, untreated injuries may substantially worsen. If you need treatment, you should take care of it immediately, rather than putting it off. If you sustained property damage or injuries in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may need to contact your auto insurance provider and your health insurance provider. Keep in mind, however, that insurers have their own bottom lines to worry about, so be cautious in your dealings with insurance companies.

Better yet, let your attorney handle insurance companies on your behalf. Unlike for-profit insurers, your attorney will keep your best interests at heart through every stage of the claims process and can help you understand the best way to proceed following an accident.

A car accident lawyer can offer numerous advantages following an accident, including an accident with an uninsured motorist. A car accident attorney can:. Provide you with the information you need. An attorney can review your insurance policies and help you understand the compensation you deserve, investigate the circumstances of the accident to identify potentially liable parties, and give you a better idea of how your claim will proceed, should you choose to file one.

Negotiate with your insurance company, if needed. Your insurance company may make it difficult for you to get the full compensation you need for your injuries, damages to your vehicle, and other financial losses.

An attorney can help negotiate with the insurance company or even fight for you in court if needed. Support you throughout the claim. In many cases, an attorney can offer vital support that can help you navigate the claim process, obtain the compensation you deserve, and decrease your stress while you focus on your recovery. Put together a claim for damages on your behalf. Each state has unique minimums drivers must obey. Virginia minimums include:. Virginia drivers must also carry proof of insurance with them when they drive.

After a collision, all involved drivers should exchange insurance information with each other. If you discover the other driver does not have insurance, call the police. Reporting the other driver could prevent him or her from returning to the road while uninsured.

Virginia is a traditional tort state when it comes to car accidents. The party at fault for the collision will owe money to the victim for damages. If the at-fault party is uninsured, however, this will not be possible.

If you have at least the minimum amount of required insurance in Virginia, you will have uninsured motorist coverage. Call your insurance provider to file a damage claim.

Explain that you did not cause the crash, but the at-fault party does not have insurance. This will cover your damages after a collision with a driver that does not have insurance. Your insurance agent will walk you through the claims process. You may need to submit proof of your injuries or damages, such as photographs, auto mechanic estimates and medical records to receive benefits.

Notify your insurance company of the uninsured driver accident right away.