What Should I Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver?

 Posted on August 21, 2024 in Car Accidents

Illinois state laws require all drivers to have minimum amounts of auto insurance liability coverage. These policies are designed to pay eligible costs if the driver causes an injury accident. Unfortunately, not every driver complies with these laws. If an uninsured or underinsured driver causes a car accident that injures you, what should you do? Can you still receive compensation? These cases are complicated, but an experienced lawyer from Grauer & Kriegel, LLC is ready to answer these questions and assist you with your case.

How Much Auto Insurance Should You Have in IL?

To comply with the mandatory coverage requirements in Illinois, a policy must have at least:

• $25,000 of bodily injury per person

• $50,000 of bodily injury per crash

• $25,000 property damage liability

Even if someone has this 25/50/25 minimum coverage, the low limits may not be enough to cover claims. While having some insurance is better than having none, those with the minimum required liability insurance may open themselves to a personal liability claim.

Your own auto insurance policy should include uninsured motorist coverage to pay qualifying expenses if a driver without insurance or not enough insurance causes an accident that injures you. You will need to file a claim with your insurer, but they may not want to pay you fairly. A skilled attorney from Grauer & Kriegel, LLC can help. If your insurance company does not cooperate with settlement negotiations, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial.

What Steps Should You Take If an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Injures You?

As with any kind of personal injury accident, there are several steps you should take if you are involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. Following these steps can protect both your health and your personal injury claim.

Notify Law Enforcement

You will need an accident report to file an insurance claim. Even if others have called 911, you still have a duty to report your collision. During the call, you may be able to provide essential details that help dispatchers send the right kinds of first responders to your accident scene.

Exchange Information

Typically, you will exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers. If you are dealing with an uninsured motorist, you still need contact information. You may also ask passengers and eyewitnesses for their contact info. Your lawyer may find important information that supports your claim by interviewing these people.

Gather Evidence

If your injuries are not incapacitating, you have a unique opportunity to gather accident-scene evidence. Use your phone to take photos, make videos, and potentially record conversations and eyewitness statements. Document things like injuries, vehicle damage, the entire accident scene from various points of view, and any relevant details that might help determine how and why the collision happened.

Accept or Seek Medical Attention

First and foremost, your health takes priority. An evaluation performed by a medical professional can spot injuries you may be unaware of, potentially saving your life. If paramedics do not respond to your accident scene, visit the nearest hospital, doctor’s office, or other healthcare facility for an assessment as soon as possible. 

Whoever examines you will document your condition, noting all injuries. This documentation will serve as vital evidence to prove that the accident caused your injuries.

Contact a Schaumburg, IL Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident, time is of the essence. The sooner you contact Grauer & Kriegel, LLC, the faster we can go to work building your case and protecting your best interests. Call us at 847-240-9010 now to speak with one of our dedicated DuPage County, IL personal injury attorneys.