Those in Michigan who have been in a car accident know that it can be more than just an inconvenience. Car accidents often involve getting medical care to treat injuries, working with insurance companies to get the car repaired and dealing with bills. These matters can become further complicated if the driver that hit you doesn’t have car insurance.
Uninsured drivers in the United States
Almost every state in the United States requires that its drivers have car insurance. The exceptions are New Hampshire and Virginia. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to follow these requirements. The Insurance Research Council surveyed drivers in 2011 to find out how many people were uninsured in the United States. They found that 1 in 7 drivers, or 14% of all drivers in the country, is uninsured. When the economy is doing poorly, the rates of those without insurance tends to increase.
What you should do if an uninsured driver hits you
Being struck by an uninsured driver can make a car accident more complicated. Getting paid for your injuries and car repairs depends on the state. Traditional tort states require that the at-fault driver pay. States that have no-fault laws require each driver’s insurance company to pay for its own policyholder’s car and bills.
Getting help after your car accident
If you are hit by someone who is uninsured, you may be required to foot the bill for the damages or use your own insurance company to get help with car repairs and medical bills. Even if your own insurance company does pay, you will still be responsible for the deductible. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help by filing a civil suit on your behalf against the uninsured driver. The driver may have to use his or her assets to reimburse you or the insurance company for the expenses that the accident caused.
