You’re on your way to work and out of nowhere, another car hits you. When you pull over and talk to the driver, you exchange information, but find out they don’t have insurance. You assumed that they would pay for your damages, but what if they can’t?
Illinois is a tort liability state, which means that the driver who is at fault in an accident is responsible for paying the damages. But who pays for your car repairs and medical bills when the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance and can’t cover them?
Under state law, you are required to have liability insurance. However, in Illinois, 13.8% of drivers are uninsured. If one of those drivers without insurance causes an accident that you are involved in, you may or may not be able to collect payment. The person driving illegally, however, may receive a fine and a suspension on their license.
Here are some next steps you can take:
Talk to your insurance agent – If you have car insurance that covers accidents with uninsured motorists, they will help pay for your damages.
Work with a lawyer – You have the option to work with an attorney and take your case to court. A personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need.
Though it may be unfair that you are hit by an uninsured driver and they don’t have the ability to pay your bills, sometimes that’s the reality of the situation. It’s always smart to have a rainy-day fund tucked away for unexpected situations. If you’re worried about a situation like this, you should talk to your insurance about adding to your plan to make sure you are covered.