Insuring your car can make you feel more secure while driving. Insurance can’t stop accidents from happening, but it can help you pay for the costs of treating injuries and replacing damaged goods. However, what should you do if you are involved in a collision with an uninsured motorist? Is it still possible to be covered by your insurance? Is there a specific claim form you need to fill out to get paid for your injuries?
Uninsured motorist accidents in Indiana: what to do, legal options, and when to hire an attorney. To hire a certified lawyer, visit this page!
What happens if you get into an accident with someone who doesn’t have car insurance?
What happens next in a situation like this is determined by a number of factors, including the amount of insurance you carry, who was at blame in the collision, and if the other driver has insurance at all (meaning they have insurance but not enough to compensate for your losses). You can do one of two things:
- File a claim under your policy’s uninsured motorist coverage if the other driver was not covered.
- Take legal action, such as a personal injury lawsuit, against the other motorist.
Explanation of how uninsured motorist coverage
The uninsured motorist coverage provided by your insurance provider should be one of your first considerations if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. In Indiana, this type of coverage is mandatory for all auto insurance policies, and the only way to opt out is to notify your insurance provider in writing during the first 60 days of your policy’s inception.
When the other driver involved in an accident does not have insurance, or if their policy limits are lower than the costs you incurred, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will kick in. When the other driver’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, this helps make up the difference. You cannot have more uninsured motorist coverage than you do liability coverage. For instance, if you have liability insurance in the amount of $50,000, your uninsured motorist coverage cannot go beyond that amount.
You should immediately notify your insurance company if you discover or think the other driver is uninsured. The window of opportunity to file a claim for damages caused by an uninsured motorist is typically quite small.
