What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?

If you have been involved in a car accident but the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you do have a few options if the accident left you with expenses for damage or injuries. An accident attorney in Minneapolis explains.

What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured? Answers from an Accident Attorney in Minneapolis

Notify Your Insurance Company

Let your own insurance know about the accident as soon as possible. State the facts: who was involved, where it happened, what happened, and the current state of your vehicles and your person. Stick to what happened; do not speculate as to who was at fault. Mention that the other driver does not have insurance.

Check Your Insurance Policy 

Collision Coverage

Look at your policy to see if you have collision coverage. If you do, this will help to cover expenses for the repair of your vehicle, up to the limit of your policy’s coverage. If your expenses are greater than the collision coverage limits, uninsured motorist coverage may help to cover the additional costs.

Personal Injury Protection

If you have minor injuries from the accident, your policy’s personal injury protection (PIP) will cover any medical bills or lost wages, up to the limits of your policy. Since Minnesota is a no-fault state, you can use your PIP coverage, no matter who caused the crash. The minimum required PIP is $40,000 per person, per accident: $20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for nonmedical expenses. If your expenses are greater than your PIP coverage, uninsured motorist coverage will be your best bet.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Minnesota requires all auto insurance to include uninsured motorist coverage, so it can help cover expenses if you are hit by an uninsured driver. The minimum coverage required by state law is $25,000 for each person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident.

File an Insurance Claim

You can file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company. You will need to submit evidence that proves the other driver’s fault. Photographs, statements from witnesses, and the police report are all helpful in establishing fault.

The insurance company also generally requires verification that the other driver is uninsured. This can sometimes be complicated, especially if the other driver is unwilling to cooperate or if they leave the scene of the accident. If they do flee the scene, you can still use your uninsured motorist coverage, though, as long as you can prove that the accident involved another vehicle, such as through witnesses, damage, debris, etc.

Sue the Uninsured Driver

It is possible, as a last resort, to sue the other driver for compensation. Keep in mind, though, that someone who doesn’t have insurance is likely to not be able to pay, even if ordered by the court. You may win a lawsuit, but that is no guarantee that you will get compensation.

If you’ve been in a car accident, get in touch with Rutzick Law Offices in St Paul, MN, for legal advice and assistance.

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