Car accidents may bring serious injuries, along with property damage and other losses. Minnesota drivers that carry liability insurance have a policy in place that could cover such costs. Not every driver has insurance, though. Persons hurt by an uninsured driver are not necessarily without options.
Accidents with uninsured drivers
Although the liable party might not carry insurance, the victim may have uninsured motorist coverage on their policy. Uninsured motorist coverage is what its name infers: coverage to pay for losses caused by an uninsured driver. As with liability insurance, the coverage only pays to policy limits. Someone who only carries $50,000 in uninsured motorist protection would have to sue for damages beyond that amount. Unfortunately, many uninsured drivers lack assets, making a lawsuit seemingly futile.
Those whose current underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage is a bit low might wish to consider increasing it. Often, increasing coverage may not cost as much as some assume.
Accidents with uninsured drivers
Persons involved in accidents with uninsured drivers would likely benefit from following the standard steps recommended after an accident. Calling the police may help, and the subsequent police report could become evidence during the claims process. Of course, procuring contact information from the negligent drivers also helps.
Visiting the emergency room leads to medical records and more substantiating evidence for a claim. More importantly, a physician’s examination may reveal injuries the victim did not detect. Getting treatment for unknown injuries may save a life.
Negotiating with an insurance company for an appropriate settlement might come with challenges. For example, the insurance company may attempt to settle for too low of an amount. Perhaps hiring a professional to handle the negotiations may be advisable.