Health And The Law - Accident
In any motor vehicle accident, there is the possiblity that it is a car accident uninsured situation. With the economy faltering and unemployment still at record levels, there are more and more drivers opting to forego auto insurance that for some can be very expensive depending upon their driving record.
Most if not all states require that all motorists carry auto liability insurance, but few if any require that motorists also carry uninsured coverage. A motorist involved in a car accident uninsured situation who does not carry uninsured coverage himself can find the lack of coverage to be a very expensive experience as he will have to cover all out-of-pocket costs or else try and sue the uninsured motorist and go throught the time-consuming and often expensive process of trying to collect on a judgment.
Some accidents involve scams, whereby another vehicle preciptiates an action that intentionally causes an accident so that the scam motorist can collect from the unsuspecting or other involved vehicle. It is possible that both vehicles could be in on the scam, with the offending vehicle uninsured but the vicitm with uninsured coverage so that the “injured” party or parties can collect from their own insurance.
In any case, even if you suspect that this is a car accident uninsured case, get as much information from the other driver as possible including looking at this driver’s license and taking down the vehicle license number. You will need this if you have to file a form with your Department of Motor Vehicles to certify for your own insurance that the other party was uninsured. Do not count on the police to do this for you or even to show up at the scene if no one claims they were injured.
If you have uninsured coverage, you are only covered up to the limits of your policy. When you purchase uninsured coverage, and you are foolish not to, you should at least have $100,000 for bodily injury coverage in the event the accident is a serious one. When it comes time to settle or if your insurer makes you an offer, be sure that it is “new money” and represents the actual amount you would receive if you take the offer. Oftentimes, the insurer will make the insured an offer that also includes money already expended for medical expenses to make it appear more palatable to the insured.