Chances are that if you get into a car accident in Illinois, the driver who was at fault will have insurance. However, there are still uninsured drivers out on the road. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may need to take some extra steps to recover compensation.
Collect Information From the Driver
Although the law requires every driver to have some form of car insurance, one out of seven drivers is still uninsured. Following an accident, you should gather as much information about the other people involved as you can whether or not they’re insured. Try to collect:
Names
Phone numbers
Driver’s license numbers
License plate numbers
Photos of the accident
Call the Police
It’s a good idea to call the police after any collision that is more than just a minor fender bender. When a driver is uninsured, they are actually breaking the law, so the involvement of the police may be necessary.
Getting police to the scene will also help to document the motor vehicle accident because police will create an accident report. A police report may be helpful for an insurance claim or personal injury claim that you file later on.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
The car insurance that you pay for likely has coverage for accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers. This means that even when an accident is not your fault, your insurance may pay for a part of your damages.
Consider Suing the At-Fault Driver
There could still be a way to get compensation from an uninsured driver. Following an accident that was not your fault, you may want to file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In the event that your insurance company refuses to pay out, you may have to turn to the legal process to recoup expenses from the 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.