Car accidents are stressful situations, uninsured drivers make already stressful situations even worse. Auto insurance is mandatory in every state in the U.S. Each state has minimum coverage requirements to legally drive.
Despite insurance requirements, approximately one in seven drivers do not have car insurance at all.
People may not carry insurance for different reasons, such as poor driving records or affordability. Despite potential reasons to not carry insurance, it is vital to driving, especially in Alaska. Insurance also ensures compensation after a collision for injured parties.
There are steps to take if you are hurt by an uninsured driver.
To be proactive, you should purchase Uninsured Motorist and Medical Payments insurance in advance. Uninsured motorist insurance protects you in these kind of situations. Do not ever take cash at the scene when you are in an accident. It might seem appealing, but it is more important to get contact information and handle claims correctly. You will need the driver’s name and vehicle license plate number to submit a claim to your insurance company. Always take photos at the scene of an accident, if you are not too injured. Make sure to request a copy of the report from the attending law enforcement office after the accident.
If there is really no other path to compensation, your attorney may suggest going to court. If you take the driver to court, you may still not obtain compensation, even if you win. It comes down to how much the person can actually afford to pay, even if the court rules for a higher amount. In a worst-case scenario, you may still be able to use your own medical insurance and car insurance to cover the debts you accrue after the collision.
If you are in a crash because of another driver’s negligence it is your right to hold that person accountable. For further information or to schedule a consultation please contact Merdes Law Office, P.C.at 866.452.3741 or visit www.merdes.com.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do.
