Getting hit by an uninsured driver can leave you with a lot of questions. Who pays for your medical bills? Can you still recover compensation? Do you have to deal with your own insurance company? What happens if the other driver caused the crash but is uninsured?
An accident with an uninsured driver can be stressful, especially when you are injured, missing work, or dealing with vehicle damage. You may still have options. In Illinois, your own insurance policy may include coverage that can help after an uninsured driver accident, depending on the facts of the crash and the coverage available.
At Crosby & Crosby Law, we help injured drivers and passengers understand their options after serious crashes. Our team answers your questions directly and guides you through each step of your claim.
How to Handle an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
If an uninsured driver hits you, the first issue is usually figuring out what insurance coverage may apply. In a typical car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance may pay for the injured person’s losses. When the at-fault driver does not have insurance, that option may not be available.
That does not always mean you are out of options. You may be able to make a claim through your own auto insurance policy. This is often called an uninsured motorist claim.
An uninsured motorist claim may help cover injury-related losses such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care
- Loss of normal life
- Other damages connected to the accident
Your options depend on your policy, your injuries, and how the crash happened. Illinois law includes uninsured and hit-and-run motor vehicle coverage requirements, and uninsured or underinsured coverage rules can affect what options may be available after a crash.
Can Your Own Insurance Cover an Accident With an Uninsured Driver?
Your own insurance may help if you were hit by an uninsured driver. Many people are surprised by this because they assume their insurance company is automatically on their side. However, after an uninsured driver accident, your own insurer may become the company responsible for paying some or all of the claim.
This can make the claim more complicated. Even though you are dealing with your own insurance company, the company may still review your claim carefully, question the extent of your injuries, or dispute the value of your damages.
Coverage that may matter after an accident with an uninsured driver includes:
- Uninsured motorist coverage: May apply when the at-fault driver does not have insurance.
- Underinsured motorist coverage: May apply when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover the full value of your injury claim.
- Medical payments coverage: May help pay medical bills after a crash, depending on your policy.
- Collision coverage: May help with vehicle damage, depending on your policy and deductible.
Before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement, consider speaking with an attorney who understands car accident claims and uninsured motorist coverage.
Who Pays Medical Bills After an Uninsured Driver Accident?
After a car accident, medical bills often arrive before the claim is resolved. This can be frustrating when the other driver caused the crash but does not have insurance.
Depending on the situation, medical bills may be handled through:
- Your health insurance
- Medical payments coverage through your auto policy
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- A later injury settlement or recovery
- Payment arrangements or medical liens, depending on the provider and case
You should get medical care as soon as possible if you are hurt. Delaying care can affect your health and may also make it harder to connect your injuries to the crash.
Keep copies of your medical records, bills, prescriptions, therapy notes, and any out-of-pocket expenses. These records can help show the impact of the accident and support your claim.
What to Do After Being Hit by an Uninsured Driver
What you do after the crash can affect your health, your insurance claim, and your ability to recover compensation. If you were hit by an uninsured driver, try your best to follow these steps.
Call 911 and Report the Crash
Call the police after the accident, especially if anyone is hurt or the other driver is uninsured. A police report can help document what happened, who was involved, and whether the other driver had valid insurance.
In Illinois, each driver involved in a crash must file a crash report if the crash caused death, bodily injury, or more than $1,500 in property damage when all drivers are insured. If any driver does not have insurance, the property-damage threshold is $500.
Get Medical Attention
Even if you think your injuries are minor, it is smart to get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries become more painful hours or days after a crash.
Medical records can also help show that your injuries were connected to the crash.
Gather Information
Try to collect:
- The other driver’s name and contact information
- The other vehicle’s license plate number
- Photos of the vehicles and the accident scene
- Witness information, such as names, emails, and phone numbers
- Police report information
- Your insurance policy information
If the other driver admits they do not have insurance, write down what they said, but avoid arguing at the scene.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the crash to your insurance company soon after the accident. Be honest and clear, but be careful about giving detailed statements before you understand your rights.
Insurance companies may ask questions that affect your claim. If you are unsure what to say, speak with a lawyer first.
Mistakes to Avoid During an Uninsured Driver Accident Claim
An uninsured driver accident claim can be more complicated than people expect. Avoiding common mistakes can help protect your case.
One mistake is assuming you have no claim. Many injured people think they cannot recover anything if the other driver has no insurance. That may not be true. Your own policy may provide coverage through an uninsured motorist claim.
Another mistake is trusting the insurance company to calculate the full value of your claim. Even your own insurance company may not offer the full value right away. The insurer may look for reasons to limit the value of the claim.
You should also be careful about giving a recorded statement too quickly. A recorded statement can be used later in the claim, so avoid guessing about fault, injuries, or recovery time.
Finally, do not settle before you understand the extent of your injuries. Some injuries require ongoing treatment. If you settle too early, you may not have the ability to ask for more money later if your condition gets worse.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Rockford, Illinois
If you were hit by an uninsured driver, you do not have to work through the insurance process alone. An uninsured driver accident lawyer can review your policy, explain what coverage may apply, gather evidence, communicate with the insurance company, and help you pursue fair compensation.
A lawyer can also help determine whether other sources of recovery may be available. In some cases, there may be questions about who owned the vehicle, whether another driver contributed to the crash, whether the crash involved a hit-and-run, or whether underinsured motorist coverage applies.
At Crosby & Crosby Law, we are a local firm that provides hands-on help after serious car accidents. We do not treat clients like case numbers or push people toward quick settlements without understanding the full picture. Instead, we take time to explain your options clearly and help you make decisions that are in your best interest.
If you are looking for a car accident lawyer in Rockford, Illinois, our team can help you understand what to do next after an accident with an uninsured driver. Contact Crosby & Crosby Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Uninsured Driver Accident FAQ
What is the difference between an uninsured and an underinsured driver?
An uninsured driver has no available auto insurance. An underinsured driver has insurance, but not enough to fully cover the injured person’s damages.
What happens if an uninsured driver hits you in Illinois?
If an uninsured driver hits you in Illinois, you may be able to file a claim through your own auto insurance policy. Uninsured motorist coverage may help pay for injury-related losses, depending on your policy and the facts of the crash.
Can I still recover compensation after an accident with an uninsured driver?
Yes, you may still have options. Your uninsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, health insurance, or other available insurance may help. An attorney can review the coverage and explain what may apply.
Should I call the police if the other driver is uninsured?
Yes. A police report can help document the crash and the other driver’s insurance status. This can be important when filing an uninsured motorist claim.
Do I need an uninsured driver accident lawyer?
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but legal help can be valuable if you were injured, your medical bills are high, your insurance company is questioning your claim, or you are unsure what coverage applies.
