WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU’RE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN AN UNINSURED VEHICLE?

If you’re an occupant of your own motor vehicle involved in an accident and the vehicle lacks insurance, you forfeit your right to sue for damages – even if the other driver is completely at fault and you are injured in the accident.

You can face harsh penalties for being involved in an accident with an uninsured vehicle, including:

• A misdemeanor charge for driving without proper insurance
• Fines up to $500 and/or jail time up to 1 year
• License suspension

You can also be held personally liable for the injury or death of another driver, and without liability insurance to cover compensation, any settlement cost is your responsibility. In some cases, you may be responsible for the cost of the other driver’s medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages.

If you’ve been involved in an accident in an uninsured vehicle, you should contact a Southfield car accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid facing harsh consequences.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE AT- FAULT UNINSURED DRIVER AFTER AN ACCIDENT?

Accidents involving uninsured drivers typically result in a hit-and-run situation where uninsured drivers leave the scene to avoid consequences and responsibility.

You, as an injured party, have the option to sue an uninsured driver after an accident – if you know who they are – and can hold them personally liable for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and vehicle damages.

Lawsuits against uninsured drivers are often unsuccessful, as the uninsured driver is unlikely to be able to afford a judgement or compensation if they were uninsured or unable to afford insurance.

This is why it’s important to seek the help of an experienced Detroit car accident attorney who can make sure you are fully compensated from your insurance, which may otherwise attempt to pay you the least amount possible, even in the case of a hit-and-run or accident with an uninsured driver.

WHY YOU NEED MOTORIST COVERAGE IN MICHIGAN

Simply put, it’s the law. But Michigan’s no- fault auto insurance policies also include Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Property Protection Insurance (PPI), Residual Bodily Injury Liability (BI) coverages that offer drivers various forms of protection.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP): In the event of a serious accident, no- fault PIP benefits reimburse you for your expenses including lost wages, medical care, and vehicle repair or replacement.

Property Protection Insurance (PPI): Damages to physical property including buildings, parked cars, gardens, or fences is covered by PPI benefits.

Residual Bodily Injury Liability (BI): Covers bodily injury caused to another driver in an accident you caused.

THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERINSURED AND UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE IN MICHIGAN

Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverages are both important for Michigan drivers in order to avoid heavy financial losses following an accident with an uninsured driver.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (U.M): Uninsured Motorist Coverage covers you if a driver without insurance damages your vehicle. Your own insurance will cover any necessary medical care and lost wages for you and any passengers.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): In cases where an at-fault driver in an accident has coverage, but the limits are insufficient to cover all of your damages, Underinsured Motorist Coverage kicks in after the at- fault’s driver’s insurance to cover the remainder of your losses.

HOW UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE WORKS

In Michigan, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is not mandatory, but it’s highly recommended. It can protect you if you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver either without insurance or in some circumstances by a hit-and-run driver. UM coverage generally covers what would have been a bodily injury or pain and suffering claim, but in some circumstances may also cover medical expenses and other damages that the uninsured driver would have been responsible for.

WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT WITH AN UNINSURED DRIVER

There are a few crucial first steps to take following an accident with an uninsured driver that, if taken, can help you recover more from your own insurance:

1. Contact the police and any necessary emergency services. It is important that a police report be filed within 24 hours. Faliure to file a police report within 24 hours may jeopardize your claims.
2. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can potentially be compensated more if you have a thorough and established medical record relating to the accident and any injuries you sustained.
3. Collect any evidence or find witnesses.
4. Call your insurance as soon as possible to file a claim.
5. Reach out to a car accident attorney as soon as possible for a consultation and counsel. Having the expertise of an accident or personal injury attorney when dealing with insurance can result in a better settlement offer.

CALL KAJY LAW TODAY

If you’ve been injured in a car accident with an uninsured driver, or were in an accident in an uninsured vehicle, call 877-KAJY-CARES or fill out our contact form to set up a free consultation with our team at Kajy Law today.