Here’s what you should do after an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Getting into a car accident is a stressful situation on its own, finding out that the other involved driver doesn’t have insurance only makes things worse. If you ever find yourself in this situation, it’s important that you stay calm and take the right course of action. Here is what you should do after getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Call the Police
You should call the police anytime you are involved in an accident, but it is particularly important to do so when dealing with an uninsured driver. As most drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of auto coverage, uninsured drivers are guilty of breaking the law. However, calling the police isn’t just an important part of your civic duty, it also adds an extra layer of protection for you. An uninsured driver is more likely to flee the scene of the accident or be uncooperative and even aggressive. Getting the police to the scene will help you ensure that the other driver is held accountable.
Do Not Accept Money
When uninsured driver gets into an accident, they may attempt to bribe you to prevent you from reporting the accident. If you find yourself in this situation, do not accept any money. Not only would accepting the bribe constitute fraud on your part, but you might also be short-changing yourself. There could be more damage to your vehicle than the money can actually cover. Rather than taking this risk, it’s much better to address the accident via official channels.
Contact Your Insurer
It’s important that you get into contact with your auto insurance provider as soon as possible. Ask your insurer if you have the necessary coverage to address the damages that the uninsured motorist cannot cover. If you do not have this important coverage, then make sure you get it. This will prevent you from facing such losses on your own in the future.
These are some of the things you should do after getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist. Do you have more questions about your auto insurance? Then don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency. Our dedicated team is eager to find you the right coverage from one of our many carriers including: Kemper, MetLife, Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco Insurance, Progressive, and American Strategic Insurance.