When you sustain injuries in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you typically file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider to receive compensation. If that individual doesn’t have proper car insurance, you may begin to wonder how you’re going to pay your bills. Fortunately, you may have a trick up your sleeve without even realizing it.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you are properly insured, your insurance policy probably includes underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. For many policies, the insurance provider will require the uninsured motorist coverage be no more than the amount of liability the individual carries, though it is different based on the insurance provider. You will have to file a claim with your insurance provider, and you won’t receive compensation every time. There are certain factors your insurance provider will take a look at to determine whether you qualify for coverage.
Collision Coverage
Your own auto insurance should also contain something called collision coverage. This is a benefit that compensates you for car repairs, but not for any bodily injuries. If the cars don’t actually collide, you may not be able to collect any compensation. For example, if a truck loses its muffler, and it bounces off the freeway and into your windshield, the two cars wouldn’t have collided, and you may not be eligible for collision coverage.
A Personal Injury Lawsuit
If the at-fault party isn’t insured, you may be able to receive compensation by suing the person for personal injury. There are other damages you may be able to collect as well, such as lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. Your lawyer can help you put a case together, file the lawsuit and fight it in court. Keep in mind, if the at-fault driver isn’t properly insured, he or she may not have any assets that would fund your settlement. Even if you win the lawsuit, you may not ever see any compensation from it.
Contacting a Lawyer to Assist in Your Case
Car accidents often come with a host of issues that are difficult to handle. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance coverage, the situation could get more complicated. If you were injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you may be able to receive compensation through your own insurance coverage or through a lawsuit. Contact a lawyer, like an auto accident lawyer in Trenton, NJ from Davis & Brusca, LLC, to assist you in making a case for compensation.