How To Handle Accidents With Uninsured Drivers

Things to Keep in Mind

When you first get into an accident, one of the most important tasks you should do is check yourself for any accident-related injuries. It is important for you to know the seriousness of your injuries in order to get the most out of your claim for damages sustained due to the incident. Accident injury lawyers will be able to look into the extent of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle to ensure you are effectively compensated. 

Make sure to take images or videos of the accident. Document any property that has been damaged on the vehicles and any injuries the individuals involved may have. It is important to write down any injuries or symptoms you have, as it will be important to determine the correct amount of compensation you’re owed based on your personal injuries. Reach out to your insurance provider as soon as possible to let them know you have been in an accident, provide them with the police report, and any images you have of the damages so they can start the claim process.  

Exchange information with the other driver. Even though the other party does not have insurance, keep in mind that you can still file a claim with your own insurance against the uninsured party.  Maryland has vehicle insurance requirements that state drivers must have underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage.

Questions to Ask

If you happen to be involved in an uninsured accident, don’t forget to obtain as much information as possible and keep the following questions in mind: 

• Do I need medical assistance? Some injuries won’t appear right away and it is important to pay attention to any symptoms you may have at any time after the accident.
• What information can I get from the uninsured driver? Any information you get in regard to the opposing party is important if they are uninsured. You should get information such as the name(s) of the individual(s) involved, any addresses or telephone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plates, vehicle identification numbers, and vehicle registration.
• What are my next steps? Make sure to get a copy of the official police report, call your insurance provider to let them know you have been in an accident, and reach out to a reliable auto accident lawyer to understand more information about the process.

Don’t Avoid Calling the Police

In some instances, a driver without car insurance may not want to contact the police after an auto accident occurs. However, notifying the police to have them tend to the scene of the accident can be crucial to you and your claim. Especially if the accident is serious and causes extensive damage or any injuries to yourself. It is important to let law enforcement know there has been an accident so they can  assist with injuries, protect and clean up the scene, and investigate the accident that occurred. 

Police officers will write a report on the incident and what occurred, and get statements from all involved parties, as well as witness statements of other parties who may have seen the car accident. You will be able to receive a copy of the official report to submit to your insurance provider and your trusted auto accident lawyer. At Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, we will review your official police report to ensure all of the information is accurate and will assist with the process of reporting with law enforcement and insurance companies.

How to Keep Your Own Records

When it comes to keeping track of your own records through the claims process, it is important to have all vital information in one place for convenient access, not only for your records but also to help the insurance provider and auto accident lawyer get all of the relevant information to the case. Make sure to save any pictures or videos you took at the scene of the accident, the opposing party’s information, a copy of the official police report, and a claim number provided by your insurance company. 

If you have the images on your phone and any other documents sent to you as electronic files, you can download them all onto one device and create a folder to place the records in. If you have any paper documentation, keep them in a physical folder or scan them to place them on your mobile device as well. Being able to keep track of your records will allow you to conveniently access all of your files that pertain to the car accident and will ease the stress of having to find them when they are needed later.