Michigan Car Accident Lawyers

What Steps to Take If You’re Involved in a Michigan Auto Accident With an Uninsured Driver

Since it is illegal to drive a car without car insurance, most people assume that almost everyone behind the wheel has an active car insurance policy. However, each year there are thousands of Michigan car accidents involving drivers who are uninsured.

If this happens to you, follow the same general steps as you would for a normal car accident, even though the other driver doesn’t have insurance:

Care for your medical needs if you are seriously injured

If you are seriously injured to the point of needing immediate medical attention, call an ambulance and get to the hospital.

However, if your injuries do not require immediate medical attention, then stay at the scene to gather the documentation and evidence as described in the next step.

Gather as much documentation and evidence as possible at the site of the accident.

This documentation and evidence should include:

Calling the Police and getting a police report/incident number

The first thing to do after a Michigan car accident is call the police. They will assess the accident, interview everyone involved including witnesses, as well as gather information about the cars involved and the site of the accident. This will all go into their official police report, which will be essential when it comes time to settle your accident.

As many details as possible about the other driver

Even though the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you still want their other important details. This includes their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and car make and model.

Photos of the Michigan car accident

Take photos of the cars involved and their license plates and the scene of the accident from multiple angles. Take photos of any injuries from the accident as well, including on the day the accident occurred and as they heal.

Witness accounts

If anyone witnessed the accident, endeavor to record or write down what they saw. Acquire their contact information for future use with your car accident case.

Contact an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer

Having knowledgeable Michigan car accident lawyers like Kajy Law on your side will help you immensely for everything else you have to do. They will advise you on what to do at every step in order to help you receive the care you need, avoid mistakes, and maximize your compensation amount.

Get the medical treatment you need

It doesn’t matter if the other driver has insurance or not, you need to see a doctor after your Michigan car accident. This is crucial even if you’re not hurting anywhere, since adrenaline from your accident can mask pain and injuries.

Medical professionals can also check for injuries that need immediate attention but aren’t obvious, like internal organ damage or concussions. They can detect serious injuries that have delayed symptoms as well.

Contact your Michigan auto insurance provider

Even though the uninsured motorist may be at fault, you still need to do this since Michigan is a no-fault state.

While this step doesn’t have to be taken right away, it should be handled promptly since you may only have 30 days to do it.

However, it’s best to take this step after you have an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer like Kajy Law on your side to ensure you don’t say anything that will affect your Michigan car accident case. Our Michigan accident attorneys also help you understand the fine print of your policy to help you know what will be covered.

Keep track of your records

Keeping good records is essential to your car accident case involving an uninsured driver. These records establish what took place and what damages you have suffered. These records include:

Medical records

Prescriptions, doctor visits, laboratory services, x-rays, and physical therapy are all important pieces of information. Include details regarding the dates of treatment and the amount paid for each.

Bills and expenses

Any costs or losses that are related to the car accident, including loss of income and travel costs to medical treatments or other accident-related visits.

Physical or mental trauma

If you are suffering physically or emotionally after your accident, keep note of what the trauma is and every way that it has affected your life, work, relationships, or future outlook.

What Damages Can You Recover From a Michigan Car Accident Involving an Uninsured Driver?

The damages you can recover after a car accident with an uninsured driver will vary depending on what insurance coverage you have and what took place with your accident.

But regardless of the level and type of insurance you have, you can still collect no-fault benefits as long as you have your own auto insurance policy. This is because Michigan is a no-fault state and makes sure you get the medical help and other benefits you need from your own insurance company.

However, collecting other damages may require having certain levels of coverage on your policy. This can include uninsured motorist coverage and higher levels of insurance.

The Importance of ‘Uninsured Motorist Coverage’

While all drivers with active insurance policies can collect some no-fault benefits from accidents involving an uninsured motorist, collecting other damages may depend on having the right type and levels of insurance coverage.

There is a specific type of insurance you can purchase in Michigan known as ‘uninsured motorist coverage’, or UM coverage. If you choose to have this coverage added to your policy, you have far more options when it comes time to settle your accident.

For example, uninsured motorist coverage allows you to recover pain and suffering damages and emotional distress, as well as excess economic damages.

Knowing the many benefits of UM coverage, our car insurance attorneys strongly recommend Michigan drivers have it added to their policy.

The Consequences of Getting in a Michigan Car Accident Without Insurance

As mentioned earlier, Michigan requires all drivers to carry insurance. In fact, Section 500.3102 of Michigan law makes driving without insurance a misdemeanor.

As a result, uninsured Michigan drivers who get in an accident face major consequences which include:

• A suspended driver’s license
• Not receiving renewed license plates
• Jail time up to one year
• Fines up to $500

On top of these damages issued by the state of Michigan, there are also legal damages you may be responsible for:

• Being held responsible for injuries or death from the accident
• Paying for the medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damages for other parties, along with the court costs
• Paying for repairs to your own vehicle
• Paying for your own medical treatment from the accident

There are also legal rights taken away from you if you’re an uninsured motorist who gets in a Michigan car accident. These include:

• No lost wage reimbursement from the accident
• Inability to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering

Clearly, being an uninsured motorist involved in a Michigan car accident is one of the last things you want to experience, with major penalties and consequences that can be financially devastating.

One reason these consequences are so severe is because the state of Michigan has a no-fault insurance system, which requires that both parties have insurance to cover their own needs after an accident.

Michigan Auto Accident Attorneys Who Provide the Guidance You Need

If you feel overwhelmed trying to understand all of these laws and insurance requirements, you’re not alone. In fact, many of the drivers in Southfield, Detroit, Dearborn, Warren, and throughout Michigan struggle to know what to do after an accident with an uninsured driver.

Kajy Law has a dedicated team of lawyers and paralegals who only work on Michigan car accidents, nothing else. This lets us know what to do with each unique case, including yours. Let us help you with every step of your car accident as we work hard to help you receive the maximum compensation possible.

Michigan Car Accident Attorneys Who Fight for You

After your car accident, you need someone on your side to help you get your bills paid and receive the compensation you deserve–especially if your car accident involved uninsured or underinsured drivers.

Kajy Law’s Michigan car accident lawyers are ready to help you throughout the legal process. Our car accident attorneys know how to navigate your complicated legal situation with skill and understanding, maximizing your compensation while providing practical help at each step of the way.

Contact Our Michigan Car Accident Lawyers

Trust Kajy Law to help you handle anything that has to do with your Michigan car accident, including uninsured drivers. Having won over 2,500 cases, you can rest easy knowing we’ll successfully handle whatever arises with your case.

Call us today at 248-702-6641 or use our contact form to set up a free accident consultation.