In the state of California, everyone who owns a vehicle is required to have car insurance. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone pays attention to the laws. A 2011 study revealed that about 14% of Americans don’t have insurance even when it’s required by law. The number increases when the economy experiences a downturn as car insurance can be expensive.
If you’re insured, you may feel like this isn’t your problem. But if you get into an accident with someone who doesn’t have car insurance, it suddenly becomes your problem. Here’s what happens if you’re hit by someone who’s not insured.
What happens when you’re hit by a driver without car insurance
Some states are no-fault states, meaning that your insurance will compensate you regardless of who caused the accident. However, California is not a no-fault state. Therefore, if you weren’t at fault for the crash, it’s the insurance company’s responsibility to pay for your damages. If the driver doesn’t have insurance, there’s no one to pay for your injuries.
Many insurance companies allow you to add extra coverage for uninsured drivers to your plan. However, this means you’ll have to pay a higher premium each month. If you were hit by an uninsured driver, and you don’t have this coverage, you only have one option: file a lawsuit. A lawsuit could help you obtain compensation, but if the person you’re suing doesn’t have much money, you probably won’t get a large payout. Ultimately, it’s your choice if you decide you want to pursue a lawsuit.
What’s the best way to file a lawsuit?
Hiring an attorney may be your best option if you want to file a lawsuit against the other driver. A lawyer may collect evidence that proves you’ve sustained severe injuries or vehicle damage in the MVA. He or she may also prove that you’ve lost wages since you had to take time off work.
Armed with this evidence, a lawyer may help you pursue a case against the uninsured driver. Since the driver has no insurance, he or she may have to pay the damages out of pocket or liquidate some of his or her assets.
