In a conventional situation, if someone is injured in a car accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company would cover much of the victim’s medical and vehicular damages. But what happens if you are injured by a driver who does not have auto insurance in Indiana?
Continue reading to learn what you need to know about protecting your rights to compensation after being hurt in a car accident by an uninsured driver.
Uninsured Versus Under-Insured Automotive Insurance Coverage
Drivers who are at-fault for a car accident are either insured, uninsured, or under-insured. In the case that you are injured by a driver who has zero automotive insurance coverage, your best course of action would be to file a claim with your own insurance carrier.
From there, you can pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver in civil court to recover the compensation paid out of your own pocket. If you are eventually given a settlement, you would likely have to reimburse your own insurance company if they gave you money for your claim.
In the case that you are injured by a driver who does not have enough automotive insurance coverage to compensate your damages, you would have to rely on your own insurance coverage to make up for the rest. Following this claim, you could then file a lawsuit (just like you would with an uninsured driver) to recover the money you spent out of pocket for your damages.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
Many drivers opt for Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) coverage, which is additional coverage that can protect them from being injured by an uninsured or under-insured driver. In fact, some states require it, while others are required to offer it to consumers.
Collision coverage is another supplementary type of insurance that you can tack onto your existing policy for vehicular damages. Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is another option that will provide coverage for you or your passengers’ hospital bills and medical expenses that result from a serious accident or injury.
Most insurance carries restrict the time period allotted to file an uninsured or under-insured car accident claim, usually around 30 days. So, if you are ever injured by a driver who does not have auto insurance, be sure to take action fast to protect your rights to compensation.
Always talk to a licensed Indianapolis personal injury lawyer who specializes in Indiana car accident lawsuits before taking any action in court. They have the knowledge and experience to provide accurate and personalized legal advice that best suits your needs for compensation.
Are you looking for a skilled and experienced car accident attorney in Indiana? Contact Carl Brizzi LAW at 317-636-7497 to speak with a licensed civil litigator about the personal injuries you’ve suffered as a result of a wrongful auto accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you!
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