All, but two states in the United States have laws that mandate that drivers carry car insurance. But despite state government’s best efforts to enforce their laws, there will always be uninsured drivers on the road.
Not only does this place the uninsured driver in a precarious situation, but it also puts the rest of us at risk. Insurance is there to protect its policyholders as well as other drivers.
In one form or another, car accidents always have consequences, even in accidents that were not your fault. There could be penalties, fines, revoked driving privileges, and a lot of money to pay. In a worst-case scenario, there may even be jail time for someone whose negligence results in the death of another person or other catastrophic event. Always make sure that you carry a valid liability insurance policy with you at all times.
But what is one to do when caught in a situation where the other driver has no car insurance? What steps should we take? Here are several ways to protect yourself. Keep in mind that many of these steps should be taken before an accident.
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Always Carry More than the Mandatory Insurance Policy Limits
Insurance policies are written to suit the specifications of the policyholder. Numerous factors affect your insurance rates as well as the types of coverages that you’ll need. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t carry enough insurance with them for various reasons – which can range from trying to save a few extra dollars to not having done enough research.
One of the best ways to protect yourself against uninsured drivers is by purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). This type of coverage protects you against other drivers who carry no insurance or don’t have enough coverage to cover the costs of your damages and medical bills. Some UIM policies can cover damages for as much as $75,000.
One of your few options when getting into an accident attorney Georgia with an uninsured motorist is to turn to your own insurance company for help. However, if you don’t have the right types of coverage on your policy, such as collision and UIM, your insurance will not be able to compensate you for your losses.
For this very reason, you should always carry more than the mandatory liability insurance requirements (which only cover other motorists damages and not your own).
Filing A Lawsuit
In some cases, drivers may have enough on their insurance policies to cover the costs of their property damage but have anything to pay for their medical bills.
The costs of injuries, which can include pain, suffering, and other things like missed time from work, can quickly add up. Not having a way to pay for these expenses can have significant financial repercussions for someone.
In situations where the at-fault driver carries liability insurance, his/her policy covers the costs of medical bills for the innocent party under bodily injury coverage. But if the at-fault driver is uninsured, the only option for the injured party is to file a lawsuit.
Accidents that result in injuries with uninsured motorists are problematic for many reasons. However, one of the main setbacks is not being able to pay for medical treatment while liability is pending.
In other words, the other driver cannot be held responsible for your injuries until it is determined that they were at fault in the accident that resulted in your injuries. In addition, in states with no-fault provisions, drivers may not even have the option to file a lawsuit. In these states, drivers are entirely on their own in handling their medical expenses.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
Penalties for Driving Uninsured
If you get pulled over by a police officer, there’s a good chance that he or she will ask to see valid proof of insurance. Without it, you face several penalties.
Penalties can vary by state but below are some examples of what you can expect:
- First Offense: fines between $100 to $200
- Second Offense: fines between $200 to $500
- Multiple Offenses: Drivers can face penalties up to $1,000 and have their vehicles impounded.
Also, if your car gets impounded, you will have to pay the towing and storage fees, which can be substantial. You will also be required to purchase an insurance policy immediately.
Possible Penalties for Getting into an Accident Uninsured
- Driver’s license suspension, even if you weren’t at fault for the accident.
- If you are at fault, you will be responsible for your damages and the other driver’s damages.
- You will also be financially responsible for injuries for the other party.
- Your vehicle registration may be suspended
- Possible jail time, which can include from several months to years, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
If you’re uninsured and were responsible for an accident, don’t assume that your problems will go away on their own. While car accident investigations can take long, sometimes over a year, it can be easy to think that you’ve been left off the hook. Don’t make this assumption. One way or another, you will hear from the other party’s insurance company, their attorney, or both.
Do’s and Don’ts After You Get Hit In An Accident
Getting into an accident is shocking, and it’s very common to feel an overwhelming sense of confusion. This feeling is normal.
The best thing is to try to stay calm and get help, especially if anyone was injured. Sometimes, it may be difficult to asses whether someone was injured or not. Just because they’re not bleeding or don’t appear to be injured, does not mean they are not. They may have internal bleeding or other injuries that are not apparent.
Below are some tips you can follow during an accident
- Call the police, regardless of who was at fault. If someone was injured, call 9-1-1.
- Don’t accept payment for damages, under any circumstances.
- Make sure to exchange information with all parties involved, including getting their driver’s license information, plate numbers, contact information, and insurance information.
- Report the accident to your insurance immediately
- Take photos of damages and the accident scene
- Obtain contact information for any witnesses
It may seem like common knowledge that not having car insurance is a bad idea for many reasons. Even before reading this post, you may have already known some of this information.
Nevertheless, the point must be made because no matter how obvious it may seem, uninsured drivers are still on the road, exposing all of us in great danger. If you drive a car, make sure you have the proper insurance and arm yourself with the appropriate coverages so that you’re protected for the inevitable.