What are you supposed to do in this situation? How do you handle insurance when you don’t have the other driver’s information?
In this quick but helpful guide below, our Clarksville car accident attorney provides steps to take after getting into an accident with an uninsured driver.
4 Steps to Follow After Being Hit By an Uninsured Driver
Here's what to do if you've been the victim of a hit-and-run or if hit by an uninsured driver and how a car accident lawyer can support you through this process.
1. Get as Much Info About the Other Driver as Possible
While getting to safety after a hit-and-run is essential, you should try to get as much information about the at-fault driver as possible before they’re out of sight. It’ll happen in an instant, but try to memorize or get a picture of the other driver’s license plate.
If you can’t do that, try to remember the make, model, color, and decorations they might have. A dashcam can be especially useful in verifying the driver’s identity, which can help you avoid using uninsured motorist coverage in the first place.
2. Call the Police to Report the Accident
After experiencing a hit-and-run incident or being hit by an uninsured driver, it is crucial to contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol and report the crash immediately. Notifying law enforcement ensures that the incident is documented and investigated thoroughly.
3. Report the Accident to Insurance
In the unfortunate event of being hit by an uninsured motorist or experiencing a hit-and-run, it's important to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
If you have motorist coverage as part of your insurance policy, this can potentially provide financial protection in such situations, helping cover damages and medical expenses.
4. Consult an Experienced Attorney
If you’re dealing with an uninsured motorist claim, be it a hit-and-run accident, an unlicensed driver, or an uninsured driver, you should consult an experienced car accident lawyer.
Having a Clarksville car accident attorney on your side significantly increases your chances of a successful claim and a fair recovery, especially when pursuing uninsured motorist coverage.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage is a bit of a misnomer. While it can be used in cases where you have been hit by an uninsured driver, it’s more often used in hit-and-runs or when a “phantom” driver strikes you. It can even be used in cases where the other driver’s insurance coverage isn’t enough to cover the damages.
In Tennessee, the insurance company must offer you uninsured motorist coverage, and that coverage must be equal to your normal policy’s bodily injury limits. However, some people choose to opt-out to save on premiums. This can leave them without a way to recover damages if they’re ever seriously injured and unable to get the other driver’s insurance.
That said, it’s essential to recognize that Tennesse’s uninsured motorist coverage only protects you and your passengers from bodily injuries. If you return from grocery shopping and find your bumper caved in, you would not use uninsured motorist coverage to settle the case. Instead, you’d use a separate “collision coverage” policy, which is also optional.
Contact Our Clarksville Car Accident Lawyer
If you suffered serious injuries in a car crash, you might have a case. If you’d like to request a free consultation with Pete Olson Injury Law's experienced Clarksville car accident lawyer, please fill out our online contact form, or for immediate assistance, call (877) 438-7383 now.
