3 Things Uninsured Drivers Need To Know When An Accident Occurs
Posted on: 12 December 2018
From paying for medical care for you, passengers, and any other drivers involved to dealing the financial stress of repairs and traffic violations, not having insurance can be overwhelming when you're involved in an accident. Thankfully, help is available if you were recently involved in an automobile accident that will be costly. Here are a few tips for handling the stress when you are in an accident without insurance.
If The Accident Is Not Your Fault
If the accident was caused by another driver, there is less to worry about, since you would need to file a claim against their insurance policy. However, it is important to note that you may be limited for what you can sue the driver and their insurance for depending on what state you live in.
Certain states have the "No Pay, No Play" law, which prevents uninsured drivers from suing at-fault drivers for damages that cannot be calculated into a dollar amount. These damages would include pain, emotional distress, and mental distress caused by the accident. There are 10 states that have this law in effect, so if you live in Alaska, California, Michigan, New Jersey, and a few other states, you will not be able to sue because you do not have insurance.
If you do not live in a "No Pay, No Play" state, you do have the option of filing a claim for not only vehicle damage, but also effects on your health and emotional state because of the accident.
If the Accident Is Your Fault
If you did cause the accident, things will be a bit more stressful because you are not covered by any auto insurance policy.
Florida, for example, is a "No Fault" state, which means the drivers must file claims with their own insurance policies no matter who caused the accident. Even though you caused the accident and damaged the other driver's vehicle, they would file a claim with their own insurance company.
On the other hand, the other driver involved can sue you if their injuries and vehicle damage have reached a significant amount of money. Since you do not have insurance, you will need to hire an attorney to help you through the case.
Tips on Paying for Damages
Paying for medical care or damage to your vehicle after an accident you caused will be problematic if you do not have insurance. Even if there is no damage or injuries to another driver, you will still need to pay for your own medical care and repairs to your vehicle.
There are options available depending on your current financial situation. You can pay right out of your checking or savings account if you have the available funds. Or, you can charge the costs for medical care and vehicle repairs to a credit card, which will most likely end up costing you more because of interest fees.
Another efficient option for paying for repairs even though you do not have auto insurance is through a loan. If you have somewhat good credit, you should qualify for a low-interest rate, which means your payment will be affordable.
Finally, set aside some funds to renew your insurance policy. This will ensure you are a legal driver who is protected in case another accident occurs. For more information, you may want to work with a local car accident attorney.
Share