Every driver out there on the roads has certain obligations under the law – and one of those is carrying the proper auto insurance. Unfortunately, scofflaws still drive illegally all the time – and the driver who hits you may not even have a license, much less insurance.
What do you do now? If you’re hurt, you may incur significant medical bills and need time off work to heal, which means losing income. You will probably also need to get your vehicle repaired or replaced. Since the other driver doesn’t have any insurance, are you just out of luck?
Your own auto insurance coverage may help
Fortunately, you probably have other options through your own auto insurance coverage. Depending on what insurance you purchased, your collision coverage will likely cover the repairs to your vehicle or its replacement, as well as other property damage (such as if your laptop or other personal items were damaged in the wreck).
Unless you declined personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists in writing, you may have these two types of insurance and not even realize it.
PIP coverage pays 100% of the charges for transport by ambulance and reasonable medical care related to your accident, and it also covers some lost wages. However, PIP coverage – which generally ranges between $2,500 and $10,000 – is generally not enough for all the bills.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage will also help with car repairs and damage to your personal property. In addition, it can provide additional coverage for your medical bills, lost wages and even your pain and suffering. Keep in mind, however, that filing a claim with your uninsured/underinsured policy’s carrier can be just as complicated as filing a claim on another driver’s insurance. Your insurer may attempt to deny or devalue your claim if they think they can get away with it.
You may also find relief through a personal injury lawsuit
Even if someone doesn’t have car insurance, they may still have plenty of other resources that can be used to cover your losses and compensate you fairly for what you’ve been through. Whether or not there’s any value to litigation is something that is best explored with legal guidance. Reach out to Ryan Nguyen Attorney at Law online or by calling 832-772-4867.