The reason you pay for auto insurance is to make sure you’re covered in the event of an accident. In North Carolina, all drivers are required to carry car accident insurance. It doesn’t matter how often they drive or if their vehicle is paid off. The lawmakers in Charlotte, North Carolina want to make sure people are protected if they get hurt in a motor vehicle accident. However, a car wreck attorney in Charlotte knows that some drivers don’t care about the law. They choose to drive without car accident insurance and have no regard for the other people on the road.
If you’re involved in a car crash and find out the other driver isn’t insured, you’ll need help. While you do have options, dealing with insurance companies can be difficult. Cases involving uninsured drivers are very complicated. Not only will you have to file a claim under your own uninsured motorists’ policy, but you’ll also have to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver.
Here, we’ll explain how uninsured motorists’ car accident insurance coverage works. We’ll also explain how a car wreck attorney in Charlotte can help. If you still have questions, don’t worry. You can always call our office and schedule your free, initial consultation.
Why Would Anyone Drive Around Without Car Accident Insurance?
As mentioned above, if you live in North Carolina and drive a vehicle, you’re required to carry auto insurance. The law is really clear on this fact. And North Carolina isn’t the only state that requires this. It’s the law in all 50 states. So, it begs the question as to why the person who crashed into you doesn’t carry car accident insurance. The truth is that some people don’t care about the law. There are also situations where a driver wishes they had insurance but just can’t afford it.
Some of the common reasons a person may have for not carrying car accident insurance include the following:
- They can’t afford it
- Their policy lapsed and they weren’t aware of it
- Their policy was canceled for non-payment
- They have car accident insurance but it doesn’t cover all of your injuries
- They knowingly chose to drive without insurance
As angry as you may be, you can understand that people make mistakes. More often than not, the person who hit you thought they were covered. Or they knew their payment was late but thought they had a few more days (or weeks) to pay it.
How Do You Know if You Have Uninsured Motorists’ Coverage?
Most people who have car accident insurance also have uninsured motorists’ coverage. This part of your policy is meant to kick in if you’re injured by someone who doesn’t have car accident insurance. You can always check your policy to see what it says. If you aren’t sure, you can always call your personal injury attorney in Charlotte and ask them to take a look.
Typically, your uninsured motorists’ coverage is very low. Most people only have about $10,000 in coverage. Your damages in a minor crash are usually more than that. If you’re involved in a serious accident, there’s no telling how much your medical bills will cost.
If you think about it, you may end up paying close to $10,000 just to get your car fixed. Or, if your car is totaled, you’ll need to buy a new vehicle altogether. The money you’ll get for a replacement car will be nowhere near enough to purchase a new vehicle. So, while your uninsured motorists’ coverage is helpful, it may not be enough to cover your damages.
Your Car Wreck Attorney in Charlotte May Have to File Suit Against the Other Driver
If your uninsured motorists’ policy doesn’t cover all of your damages, you’ll have no choice but to sue. Your personal injury attorney in Charlotte will be able to handle this for you. They’ll sue the other driver for whatever amount that wasn’t covered by car accident insurance.
It’s important to keep in mind that there’s no guarantee you’ll ever see a dime from the defendant. This is why it’s critical that you file your uninsured motorists’ claim as soon as possible. If you’re like most people, you won’t have enough extra money to pay to get your car fixed. You certainly won’t be able to pay your medical bills all on your own. Nor should you have to.
Ideally, your car accident insurance policy will cover all of your out-of-pocket expenses. If you weren’t hurt in the crash, there’s a chance it will cover your medical bills. However, if you need extensive medical care, there’s no way your personal auto insurance will have enough coverage to pay them all.
What If You Sue the Other Driver and Win?
Some of our clients have unrealistic expectations when it comes to suing the other driver in their car wreck. They assume that, if they win, they’ll get their money right away. This is not how it works. If the other driver has car accident insurance then, yes, you’ll probably get a lump sum rather quickly. But if they don’t have insurance, you’ll have to pray that they have enough personal assets to cover your damages. If not, you’ll have a judgment against them.
The only way you can force someone to pay you is by taking advantage of post-judgment execution. Your car wreck attorney in Charlotte can explain if this is an option in your case. It all comes down to what assets the defendant has and whether you can use them to pay your medical bills.
Contact a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney in Charlotte Right Away
If you’re injured in a car accident and don’t know what to do next, you have options. You can try to figure things out yourself. Or you can hire a car wreck attorney in Charlotte to handle your claim. They know how to handle cases where the other driver doesn’t have car accident insurance. They’ll reach out to your auto insurance carrier and find out what kind of coverage you have in situations like this.
You should have some coverage under your uninsured motorists’ policy. However, as explained above, this coverage is minimal. There’s a good chance you’ll have to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. Your personal injury attorney in Charlotte can help you do this.
All you have to do is call our office and schedule your free, initial consultation. You can sit down with someone who’s handled cases just like yours. They’ll answer any questions you may have and work toward getting you the compensation you deserve.
