Getting hurt in a car accident or sustaining a total loss to your car is devastating no matter what the circumstances might be. Even if the at-fault driver readily admits fault and you are able to move forward relatively quickly and smoothly with a claim for compensation, you still have to suffer the physical pain and suffering caused by the injury, the anxiety and devastation of lost wages, and the burden of handling property damage claims and replacement.

Yet a car crash can be significantly more distressing when the at-fault party is an uninsured motorist. If you are involved in a collision caused by an uninsured motorist, what are your options? I want to discuss some possibilities with you for seeking financial compensation.

Find Out if You Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage 

The first thing you should do is to find out if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If you did not add on UM coverage to your policy, you probably do not have it. Under Ohio law, drivers can pay an additional premium for uninsured motorist coverage and auto insurance companies can offer it as an add-on, but it is not required in an auto insurance policy. Accordingly, if you want uninsured motorist coverage, you will need to specify that you want to add it to your policy. If you do have UM coverage, you can file a claim. If you do not, you will need to seek compensation in a different way.

File a First-Party Claim Through Your Own Auto Insurer

Even if you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, you can still file a first-party claim through your own auto insurance policy. However, you will be responsible for paying the deductible since subrogation likely will not result in your auto insurer being able to recoup that deductible from the at-fault driver since the at-fault driver is uninsured.

File a Lawsuit Against the At-Fault Driver

You may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, but often an uninsured motorist will not have any money or assets to pay damages even if the court requires them to do so.

Determine Whether Another Party Could Be at Fault

Since a lawsuit against the at-fault driver likely will not get you the compensation you need—even if you win the claim—it is important to determine whether another party could be at fault. For example, was the uninsured motorist driving a company car at the time of the crash, and could that uninsured motorist’s employer be liable? I can assess the facts of your case to determine whether you can file a lawsuit against a party other than the uninsured motorist.

Call My Office for Assistance with Your Uninsured Driver Claim

I know how devastating it can be to suffer injuries in a car accident caused by a careless or reckless driver, and to learn that the driver was not carrying insurance. Uninsured drivers who cause serious collisions need to be held accountable for the harm they have caused. Although you may not be able to file a third-party claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance company, I will seek alternate options to help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve after this devastating crash.

Call me today in my office at 877.614.9524 to learn more about potential options for seeking compensation after an uninsured motorist collision. I will do everything I can to keep this promise to you: I’ll Make Them Pay!®