Most of us know that in a car accident, one of the first things you do is exchange information with the other driver. This way, everyone can easily contact one another when necessary. Your insurance company will ask for the other driver’s insurance, which you also collected. This is routine procedure, and we expect everyone to be properly insured.
In truth, there are many people who, every day, take the risk of driving without insurance. Just like anyone else, they can also find themselves in a car accident. In this blog, we will look at what happens when, in an accident, at least one of the drivers is uninsured. The steps you should take are highly dependent on who is at fault in the accident.
AT-FAULT INSURANCE
When it comes to car insurance, Oklahoma is an at-fault state. When a driver is responsible for an accident, their insurance company pays benefits to the other driver. This fact becomes very important if, in a crash, either driver is uninsured.
WHEN THE AT-FAULT DRIVER IS INSURED
If the driver who caused the accident is insured, there should be little conflict about what to do next. The driver who was hit, even if they are uninsured, can collect benefits from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Liability is built into your car insurance. It is at the very heart of the at-fault model. The liable, or responsible, party is insured to benefit someone they hit. Even if the uninsured driver takes the matter to court, the at-fault driver’s insurance is designed to settle or pay damages in a civil trial.
WHEN THE AT-FAULT DRIVER IS UNINSURED
This scenario becomes much more complicated. If the at-fault driver isn’t protected, the person they hit might not be, either. The insured driver can make a plea to their insurance company, but they can be easily denied.
The costs of a car accident can be vast. First, there is damage to the car itself. In the best scenarios, it could still cost hundreds of dollars to fix a fender-bender. At worst, a car can require serious work that costs thousands of dollars. Next, injuries must be treated, and medical costs in the U.S. are huge. Minor treatment costs hundreds of dollars, and major treatments can cost millions. This does not even take lost wages into account. If an injury is severe enough, it can leave someone unable to work.
The only option for the insured driver might be a personal lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A civil case can compensate you for this financial loss. It can also repay someone for their pain and suffering, a damage that can be worth thousands. If an uninsured driver is responsible for a car accident, they could be responsible for an enormous sum of money.
YOU NEED CAR INSURANCE
The above scenario should be enough to convince any uninsured driver to get insured immediately. Accidents can happen at any time, and you may be surprised at how easily they can be your fault. To shield yourself from a devastating lawsuit, call a car insurance company today, and set up a policy.
If that isn’t enough to persuade you, consider this: Without insurance, you could lose your right to drive. Police often stop at the scene of an accident, and they will ask for everyone’s information. If you don’t have proof of insurance, you could lose your license and be fined up to $200.
If you’ve been harmed by an uninsured driver, please contact us today. A civil lawsuit may be your only option to cover the cost of your injuries. For a free consultation, call us at 918-492-7674, or contact us online.