When you carry car insurance, you aren’t just protecting yourself; you are also protecting everyone else that you share the road. Other drivers, though, are not always willing to offer you that same protection, and if you were to get in an accident with one of these drivers you may find yourself without the insurance support you need after that crash.
Underinsured Motorists May Only Cover Part of the Damages
If you have been struck by a driver who does not carry enough insurance, you may not receive the full amount that you need to recover. You can file a claim with your own insurance company to cover the rest of the funds you need if you have underinsured motorist coverage on your own insurance, but this is only available in some policies.
If You Have Been Struck by an Uninsured Driver, Your Own Insurance May Not Cover Everything
After a crash, it is important to file a report with your own insurance provider. However, this will only cover some of the damages you have experienced. In Illinois, your car insurance is required to offer you some protection from uninsured motorists, but the repairs needed to get your car back in working order or the loss of your car will not be covered as a part of this policy.
Because the damage done by a crash can have a widespread impact on your life, speaking to an attorney about your crash could be an important step to take. Your lawyer can help you explore all of the options available to you, including a personal injury lawsuit that may provide you with the compensation you need.
You Can Request That the Other Driver's License be Suspended
In addition, requesting that the other driver’s license be suspended can be an available option. The Illinois Secretary of State notes that Illinois law allows this to be done in two ways:
Confirming that the person at fault was an uninsured driver by submitting an Illinois Crash Report, then requesting that their license be suspended for failure to carry the insurance that the law requires
Filing a lawsuit against the uninsured motorist and submitting the resulting judgment to the secretary of state if the penalties are not fulfilled within 30 days
In Illinois, more than 13 percent of drivers in our state are without insurance. That means one in every ten drivers that you share the road with is uninsured. If you have been in a collision with one of these drivers, it can be important to explore all the options available to you so that you can hold that driver accountable and make a full recovery after your accident.
Don't hesitate to reach out to Shay + Associates Law Firm if you require the expertise of a skilled personal injury lawyer in Springfield or Decatur, Illinois.