Being in an accident can be traumatic. You may have injuries, and there will be damage to your car. When you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, you will find it hard to recover damages. The same is true if the driver does not have enough coverage to pay for serious injuries.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, 3.5% of Massachusetts drivers did not have insurance in 2019. Your chances of having an accident with an uninsured motorist are slim, but it does happen. Here is what you should do.
If an uninsured motorist hits you
If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, exchange contact information. Get the driver’s license plate number. Also, write down the make and model of the car along with the time of the accident.
The motorist may try to offer you money to avoid getting into trouble with the police. Do not accept it. Instead, call the police and then file a report.
When the police arrive
When the police arrive, take note of the officer’s information. Then call your insurance company. Tell a representative that the other driver did not have insurance. If the uninsured driver is at fault, then your insurance company must pay for the damages.
You can file a lawsuit against an uninsured motorist, but you will not be able to get compensation. Your best recourse is to go through your own insurance company. That does not mean the motorist is off the hook. An uninsured motorist can face stiff penalties and lose driving privileges.
