Being involved in a car accident is unfortunate, to say the least, but if you have been involved in an accident without insurance, the situation becomes even more complicated. Driving without car insurance can be costly to both parties involved in the accident and is illegal in most states. Now let’s review what happens if you get hurt in an accident without insurance.
As noted above, a car accident without insurance affects both parties involved in the accident. If the person without insurance is the party responsible for the accident, that person will be responsible for paying for the damages to their vehicle. That party will also have no insurance protection if the injured party sues them. The punishment for being uninsured varies state to state, but may include fines, loss of your driver’s license, or even imprisonment.
Furthermore, some states have “no pay, no play” laws. In addition to the above, uninsured drivers in those states are restricted in their ability to sue the other driver who may be at fault in the accident, and limited in what damages may be recovered. Drivers should have at least the minimum insurance coverage required by law (which also varies from state to state).
Some states, Kentucky included, are referred to as no-fault states. In those states, drivers purchase personal injury protection insurance, commonly called PIP, which pays for medical expenses for parties injured in car accidents – regardless of who is at fault for the accident. In addition to medical expenses, other financial losses – such as lost wages – are often covered in part under PIP insurance. So, what about an insured driver who gets injured by a driver in an accident without insurance?
Unfortunately, since most uninsured drivers have little assets or income, recovering your losses may be difficult if not impossible. Anyone can be sued, but suing someone who has nothing will get you nothing in return. The best option for responsible drivers is to carry what is known as uninsured drivers’ insurance. This coverage will reimburse the injured insured driver for some costs and injuries suffered from the accident. Some limits apply, but this coverage protects the injured driver by covering at least part of the costs of the accident.
Can I still make a claim for my injuries if I am involved in an accident and I didn’t have insurance? Many individuals think that because they did not have insurance, if someone hits them, then they cannot do anything. The truth is, there are always options, and one of the best decisions is consulting the expertise of a car accident attorney. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident involving an uninsured driver, retain the services of a skilled personal injury lawyer with experience in suing and winning cases against such drivers. The experienced attorneys at Maze Law Offices can answer your questions and assist you through the entire legal process. Our goal is to get you the best cash settlement of your auto accident injury case. Don’t sell your case short with a less experienced firm. Let us help your case succeed. Contact us today for a free consultation.
