Being in an automobile accident understandably causes the victim to panic. To make the situation worse, many victims learn the unfortunate fact that the at-fault driver is uninsured. This leads to concerns about how to be compensated for personal injury and property damage.
Were you involved in a car crash with an uninsured driver? If so, the steps you take next will affect your legal rights and financial interests, potentially for years to come. It’s time to connect with the Syracuse personal injury lawyers of Carden Dotzler Hammond, PLLC.
Call 911 and Report the Accident
The first thing you need to do is call 911. Tell dispatch about the crash and ask for law enforcement to come to the scene. You should also inform the dispatch of any details about the driver in case they flee (which is common in accidents with uninsured drivers).
There are actually three types of reporting you need to be concerned with right now:
- Syracuse police or other law enforcement: The responding agency will generate a police report, which you will need later to seek compensation.
- Your insurance: Let your insurance know immediately (and within 30 days) about the crash and provide them with basic details like time, date, and location.
- New York DMV: You must report any crash involving death, injury, or property damage to the state DMV within 10 days.
Filing these reports will also memorialize the basic facts of the crash. This is an important step, especially if the at-fault driver has no insurance.
Document the Accident Scene
There are various ways you can begin collecting important evidence concerning the crash:
- Photos and videos: Take pictures and record videos of the crash scene, damage to your vehicle, and your injuries. The more, and the more detailed these images are, the better.
- Eyewitness information: If anyone observed the accident, get their names and contact information. Find out if they recorded the incident on a dashcam or otherwise.
- At-fault driver information: Even if the driver has no insurance, find out as much information about them as you can. This includes name, address, phone number, car make and model, and license plate number.
- Personal notes: Make your own personal notes about the events leading up to and right after the accident. Include details like the identities of any businesses in the area which could have surveillance cameras.
Your Syracuse car crash lawyer can help you obtain additional evidence.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You may not notice any injuries yet, or you may think that you have suffered only minor injuries. You still need to see a doctor or visit the emergency room since you may have hidden or seemingly minor injuries that will worsen with time.
Failure to see a doctor can jeopardize your health and allow the at-fault driver to blame you for worsening your own injuries. So be sure you get medical attention, return to any follow-up appointments, and follow your doctor’s orders.
Hire a Syracuse Personal Injury Attorney
Retaining a lawyer early is an important step in making the strongest possible case for the compensation you need. You may be eligible to seek such damages as medical bills, lost wages, and more. Your lawyer can also help you deal with any insurance problems.
Coverage Options for Victims of Uninsured Drivers
Although it can be frustrating dealing with a driver who breaks the law by not having insurance, you do have potential coverage options for your losses. They may include:
- Your own insurance: Because New York is a no-fault insurance state, your own insurer will be your first stop for coverage. Make sure you use any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage you may have.
- Suing the driver personally: If you have serious injuries you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and sue the driver personally. This can be challenging if the driver doesn’t have many assets, so ask an experienced Syracuse car crash lawyer for assistance.
- Filing a claim with the New York Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC): This agency helps victims of accidents involving uninsured or hit-and-run drivers if no other insurance coverage is available.
- Suing a third party: In some situations, a third party can bear liability for a victim’s injuries. For example, the manufacturer of your vehicle may have done defective work on the braking system that ultimately made your injuries much worse.
CDH Law Fights for Accident Victims
Don’t let the fears and uncertainties of being in an accident with an uninsured driver overwhelm you. To explore your legal and insurance options after a crash, get in touch with CDH Law. Schedule your initial consultation with our compassionate legal team today.