Being involved in a car accident of any kind can be extremely stressful, but even more so if you learn the other driver does not have insurance. If you’ve ever been in a car accident before, you know you typically you end up working with the other person’s insurance company in order to receive compensation for your injuries. This is why the worst case scenario is when the other driver has no auto insurance. This is a hard thing for most of us to fathom, as car insurance is just something we all have, right? Unfortunately not. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), nearly 14 percent of all American drivers are uninsured or underinsured. The percentage of uninsured drivers from state-to-state, with Florida recording the highest number of uninsured motorists – 26.7 percent.
Although each state requires drivers to have a base level of insurance, many drivers do not meet these standards. This means that in the event you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you either have to foot the bill yourself or explore other options for compensation. Here at Wormington & Bollinger, we believe in educating our clients and helping them understand their rights. We’ve handled numerous claims against uninsured motorists in Texas, helping our clients seek compensation for their injuries and any other damages. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what your options are when you are hit by an uninsured driver:
- Sue the Uninsured Driver – If you’ve been hit by an insured driver, one of your options is to file a lawsuit. Suing an uninsured driver is incredibly complex, which is why it is rarely the best option. Furthermore, the majority of uninsured drivers don’t have enough money to cover your medical bills, so getting compensation for your injuries and losses is a longshot.
- File an Uninsured Motorist Claim – While suing the other driver may not be the best idea, one alternative is to file an uninsured motorist claim with your own car insurance company. This is why it is very beneficial to carry uninsured motorist coverage (UM). Many states require that at least one person on your policy has this coverage, should something like this happen. If you think this may be your best option, it is imperative to notify your insurance company right away. There are often deadlines in place pertaining to these types of claims, so be sure and contact your insurance company right away.
If you are thinking about filing an uninsured motorist claim following an accident with another driver, please contact Wormington & Bollinger today. Our McKinney personal injury lawyers will be able to advise you on what the best option for your specific case may be. In some instances, it may be in your best interest to sue the uninsured driver. Due to the complex nature of this process, we encourage you to give us a call and schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys right away.