Accidents with Uninsured Motorists: Legal Options and Tips
Car insurance can help pay for vehicle damage and medical costs associated with a car accident, but what happens if you get into an accident with an uninsured motorist? A car accident lawyer can help those who have been involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist get the compensation they deserve for any injuries or property damage.
Attorney Lynn C. Harris provides victims of accidents with uninsured motorists legal options and tips in Salt Lake City, UT, Provo, UT, and surrounding areas. If you would like to learn more about your options, we welcome you to schedule a consultation.
What Are Your Legal Options?
The state of Utah follows no-fault laws for handling car insurance claims. This means damages are split between the parties involved, with each party’s insurance paying for some of the damages. However, if one of the drivers does not have insurance, the other person’s insurance will generally pay more.
With that said, there are some legal options to help compensate for damages when involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, such as:
- Uninsured motorist coverage - Purchasing uninsured motorist coverage in addition to your basic car insurance coverage can help cover damages to your vehicle or provide compensation for injuries in the event you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.
- Collision coverage - Collision coverage is another option to help pay for damages caused by an uninsured driver. Collision coverage will only cover damages to your vehicle and does not provide compensation for injuries.
- Lawsuit - Although it may be possible to recover damages through a lawsuit against the uninsured driver, it’s not always the best option. Usually damages need to be severe in order to file a lawsuit and even if a lawsuit is won, the uninsured motorist may not have the finances to pay the settlement. If a lawsuit is the right option for you, it’s essential to have an attorney to help present a strong case for your injury claim.
Tips for Accidents with Uninsured Motorists
Driving without car insurance is against the law in Utah and it is important to call the police if you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.
In addition to calling the police, there are several other things you should do after an accident with an uninsured motorist, including:
- Obtain the driver’s contact information.
- Write down a description of the car, including the make, model, and color, as well as the license plate number.
- If the uninsured driver leaves before providing information or before police arrive, get as much information about the vehicle, license plate number, and both the driver’s and passengers’ descriptions as you can.
- Take pictures of the driver’s car and the scene of the accident being sure to capture the position of the vehicles, skid marks, or anything else that will help piece together events later on.
- Ask any witnesses for their names and contact information.
- Ask a police officer on the scene for the police report number.
- Seek immediate treatment for injuries and don’t skip any related medical appointments so that injuries, if any, are documented by a doctor.
Learn More about Your Options
If you have been injured in an accident with an uninsured motorist, Salt Lake City attorney Lynn C. Harris is available to review the details of your claim to help determine what steps you should take. Schedule a consultation online or call our law firm at (801) 521-3200.
