Car accidents can be heart-wrenching and stressful experiences. While many vehicle crashes are innocent accidents, others are often caused by the reckless behavior of one driver that leads to severe and long-term injuries ranging from paralysis to death.
You never expect to be the one who ends up in an accident but when you do you will need a College Park uninsured motorist accident lawyer to help you out. But we are all susceptible to car accidents every time we get behind the wheel.
It is even more devastating when it is no fault of our own. When it does happen, we automatically think that the driver’s insurance provider will cover the accident and reimburse us according to our losses.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage is a section within an auto insurance policy that provides coverage when the policyholder is in an accident with another driver who does not have auto insurance. This type of insurance is designed to cover damages in the event you are hit by an uninsured driver. In short, it is financial protection from irresponsible and reckless drivers.
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Do You Need a Lawyer in a College Park Uninsured Motorist Case?
The short answer is YES. If you have been injured in an auto accident caused by an uninsured driver, you will need a lawyer to help you obtain the full compensation of what you are owed to cover damages and injuries. There are a couple of situations that could involve uninsured motorist cases. Some of these include:
Drivers Who Allow Their Insurance to Lapse or Who Cannot Afford to Buy Insurance
This is a more common occurrence than you might think. In fact, according to the Financial Responsibility and Insurance Committee of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, 82% of uninsured drivers don’t have a vehicle that is operable or simply cannot afford to purchase insurance. As of 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 13% of drivers remain uninsured.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
If you are injured or damaged by someone who committed a hit-and-run and you were not able to capture the identification of the person or get their license plate information, you will more than likely need to use uninsured motorist coverage. If you are injured in this type of car accident, you would want a lawyer to assist you with your case and be the intermediate person between you and your insurance company.
Driving Someone Else’s Vehicle Without Permission
Sometimes, vehicles are stolen, or someone is driving another person’s vehicle without their knowledge or permission and without being on their insurance policy. Depending on the scenario, having a lawyer who can assist you in verifying coverage of the other driver can be very useful when you end up needing to use your uninsured motorist coverage.
If you are the victim of any of the previously mentioned types of situations involving uninsured motorists, you might have the right to financial compensation. You can find out whether you have the opportunity to pursue your case when you contact an uninsured motorist accident attorney in College Park for help.
5 Steps to Take After an Uninsured Motorist Accident
Whether the driver who hits your vehicle has insurance or not, there are at least five steps you should consider taking to ensure you are protected. Specifically, in the case of an uninsured motorist accident, taking the steps below can help you avoid a lot of red tape along the way:
1. File a Police Report
You may feel compelled not to file a police report, especially if the driver pleads with you not to. Don’t give in to that. Failing to report the accident properly could prevent you from getting the compensation you need. In addition, it can make it difficult to prove an accident and, in some cases, legal penalties could be the result if you leave the scene.
Filing a police report will ensure there is a record of the accident and can be given to your College Park uninsured motorist accident attorney and to your insurance company.
2. Avoid Accepting Liability
Accepting liability for the accident, even partial liability, can be detrimental to your cases and cause the process of getting compensated for damages to take longer than needed. Instead, offer an honest answer to questions the police ask, but do not incriminate yourself. The other driver can use such statements against you and take it as your admission of liability.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company and Healthcare Provider
It is important not to waste time contacting your insurance company and your healthcare provider or primary care physician, especially if you sustained injuries as a result of the accident. Specifically, when dealing with your insurance company, it is important to get your attorney involved at that point and let them help you through the claims process as much as possible.
4. Get the Healthcare You Need Immediately
After an accident, serious injuries can often be veiled by an adrenaline rush. And major untreated injuries can get substantially worse over time. Go to the ER or the nearest urgent care facility for an evaluation and avoid putting it off.
5. Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer
Now is the time to ensure you have an uninsured motorist accident lawyer in College Park on your side. Having the right attorney can help inform you of advantages and rights you might not be aware of. Second, they can review your insurance policies and help you understand what you are entitled to receive. Third, they can negotiate with insurance companies since they likely know all the loopholes that exist.
Finally, a good attorney can walk with you every step of the way through the claims process. Don’t walk away from an accident without knowing the opportunity for compensation for your injuries. Following the steps above will help you move your claim ahead faster in the long run.
Get Help From a College Park Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Today
The process for recovering maximum compensation after an uninsured motorist accident can feel long and intimidating. However, when you have a dedicated College Park uninsured motorist accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates who is committed to advocating for your rights and getting you the compensation that you deserve, you can know that you will get the best service, and your rights will be protected.
When you are ready to get started on your case, fill out our online contact form or call our office to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form