Did you know that the state of Tennessee has almost 6 million registered vehicles? Even though Tennessee law requires drivers to carry liability coverage, some banks require extra coverage for financed vehicles.
Some drivers ignore the laws and believe they can get away with driving without insurance. This affects all drivers on the road, especially if an uninsured driver hits someone.
If this happens to you, what can you do? Keep reading to learn the steps to take.
Call the Police
After you are hit by an uninsured driver in Tennessee, you need to remain on the scene of the accident and call the police. Notify them of any property damages, injuries, or deaths.
Even if your car accident doesn’t fulfill these requirements, you should call the police if you find out the other driver doesn’t have car insurance.
Notifying the police will protect you from false information that the other driver might attempt to give you. The police will also create an official record of the accident.
This police report, once filed, will be checked by your insurance provider to help determine how much your claim is worth.
The uninsured driver is going to receive penalties and tickets for not having insurance. You have to do your best to keep the uninsured driver off of the road so that accidents like this don’t occur in the future.
Collect Driver Information
Someone driving without insurance won’t have a provider to give you. However, you can collect the following information while you wait for the police to arrive:
- The driver’s name
- Driver’s phone number
- Driver’s license information
- License plate numbers
If the driver was working at the time of the incident, ask for the name of the company they work for.
For the insurance claim process, you’ll need all the information you can get from the other driver. If you are incapacitated after the crash, the police will gather the details for you.
Go to the Hospital
There are different types of car accidents that can cause certain injuries. It’s important to go to the hospital after an incident even if you don’t notice initial symptoms.
Delaying medical care could worsen your injuries and negatively impact your insurance claim. Injuries like a traumatic brain injury have delayed symptoms but can appear on tests and medical scans.
Immediate emergency care will strengthen your insurance claim and help you recover quicker.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Provider
Causes of auto accidents that occur from an uninsured driver are difficult to deal with. You won’t have the option to file an insurance claim with the driver’s insurance company. You have to file through your provider.
You’ll want to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to file the claim. The company will tell you whether or not your policy includes uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance.
In Tennessee, it’s optional to purchase both of these add-on coverages. Companies will offer this policy in addition to the minimum requirements in the state.
UM/UIM insurance will help you cover the costs of wrecks that occur with uninsured drivers. When you have these policies, your insurance company will accept your claim and cover the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
If your insurance denies your claim, hire an auto injury attorney.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work?
Uninsured motorist coverage typically doesn’t exceed the amount of your general liability car insurance.
For example, if you have $100,000, you won’t be able to carry more than $100,000 in uninsured motorist coverage.
It’s best to have some form of protection from drivers who don’t have insurance. Even though car insurance is required for all registered vehicles in most states, some don’t follow the laws.
UIM coverage might only apply to the injuries you sustain from a car accident. To cover vehicle repairs and other damages, you’ll need a separate add-on coverage that includes property damage.
How Does Underinsured Motorist Coverage Work?
Underinsured coverage is similar to uninsured motorist coverage. However, underinsured vehicle policies will pay for damages from a car accident. It does not provide enough coverage to pay for injuries.
This type of coverage also isn’t required in most states but is optional and beneficial for extra protection. This policy will kick in to cover the difference between uninsured motorist coverage and the total amount of losses.
Keep in mind that if you have these policies, it’s best to act fast if an uninsured driver hits you. Most insurance companies limit how long you have to make claims involving these policies.
In some cases, it’s as little as 30 days from the date the accident occurred. Start the claims process immediately if you learn that the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance or has no insurance at all.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
If your claim is denied or you don’t have uninsured motorist insurance, you’re not completely out of luck. You can hire a lawyer to review your options and help you get the compensation you deserve.
At this step in the process, it’s likely you’ll need to file a lawsuit to receive damages.
An attorney can do their job better when you provide them with documentation from the accident. They will use this to strengthen the case in your favor.
Hit by an Uninsured Driver: What to Do Next
If you were hit by an uninsured driver, the process of filing a claim is similar to the process of any car accident. You’ll call the police, gather driver details, and go to the hospital.
Instead of reporting the accident to the driver’s insurance provider, you’ll have to submit a claim to your own insurance. If you have UM/UIM coverage, you’ll have protection from being hit by an uninsured driver.
Without insurance or if your insurance provider denies your claim, call a lawyer. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
Posted in: Car Accidents