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What Happens In Uninsured Motorist Accidents?

You’re off minding your own business, enjoying the beautiful Louisiana weather while cruising down the road. You are stopped at a red light, you wait for it to turn green. The light changes and you’re on your way through the intersection, when suddenly your worst nightmare is coming true—BOOM! Your car is struck by another car who has run a red light.You suffer from a broken collar bone and your car is totaled beyond repair. “I’m alive and not too badly injured, could be worse,” you say to yourself. That is until you find out the driver who hit you has no car insurance. That same “could be worse” has now turned into a full blown panic attack and you’re left feeling unsure of the next course of action.Even with laws in place requiring a minimum amount of liability car insurance, there are still many drivers on the road without any form of insurance. According to the Insurance Research Council, a nonprofit organization, 13 percent of Louisiana drivers have no form of car insurance.

What exactly can be done if you find yourself the victim of an accident with a driver who has no insurance?

We’ve put together a list of steps to follow:

  1. Call the Police – When you get into an accident, it’s always a good idea to call the police. Even more so when you’re dealing with an uninsured driver because the police will help ensure the damages are paid for, as well as help guide you through the documenting process.
  2. Exchange Information – Although they don’t have insurance, documenting their vehicle information as well as their contact information will be important for the claim.
  3. Do Not Accept Any Form of Payment – Often times the guilty party will try to “pay off” the victim of the accident, especially in cases where the driver has no insurance. Don’t accept any payment because you don’t know the severity of your injuries, as well as the overall cost to fix the damage.
  4. Take Photographs – You’ll want to make sure to take pictures of any damage done to your car, as well as damage done to the other vehicle. Be sure to snap photos of the driver’s license plate and traffic signs nearby.
  5. Seek an Attorney – If being in an accident with an uninsured motorist has become the bane of your existence, let an experienced personal injury attorney assist you in the process.

At The Chopin Law Firm LLP, our New Orleans car accident lawyers work hard to represent injured individuals after a negligence-related crash. If you’ve been harmed, trust that we’re ready to protect your best interests every step of the way.

Call our firm today at (504) 475-2429 to discuss your rights.