Driving in Alabama is a common activity for many people and as a result there are many vehicles on the roads each day. When people are driving, they may not always be thinking about it, but there is always a chance that they could be involved in an accident. Even the most careful drivers can be involved in accidents as they cannot control the actions of the other drivers on the road.
There are also many motor vehicle accidents each year and many people suffer injuries and damage their vehicles as a result. This is not really fair if the victim of the accident did not contribute to the cause of the accident. It is important that these victims are made whole after an accident and therefore every driver is required to have auto insurance on their vehicles. Unfortunately, not every driver follows this law and there are many uninsured or underinsured drivers.
Steps to take after an accident with an uninsured driver
If one is struck by an uninsured driver, it may initially seem like they may be stuck with the bills for the accident, but people may be able to obtain compensation still through their own uninsured motorist coverage on their policy. To help ensure they receive this there are certain steps they should take after the accident.
- Call the police to make a report and document the cause of the accident. This is also important if people are injured in the accident. People may need medical attention in addition to needing the police to complete some of the important steps below if they are unable to due to injuries.
- People should swap information as well. This may not include insurance information, but people should obtain names, addresses and phone numbers if possible.
- People should also document the scene. Try to talk to potential witnesses who saw how the accident occurred, take pictures of the scene and collect other information needed to show how the accident occurred.
- Finally, contact one’s own insurance company and make a claim on their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
It can be a difficult experience anytime people are involved in accidents in Alabama. However, it can be even more difficult if the driver who caused the accident does not have insurance to pay for the damage and injuries they caused. People can still obtain compensation through their own insurance though. These can be complicated matters and dealing with any insurance company can be a difficult experience. Consulting with experienced attorneys may help one receive what they deserve.