Finding yourself involved in an accident with an uninsured driver can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if the other party isn’t cooperative or doesn’t have insurance to cover their own medical expenses and property damage caused by the accident.
After being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you’ll want to make sure that you take the necessary steps to handle the situation and get back on the road to recovery.
The best way to avoid complications from such an incident is by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer who will be able to help you with everything from dealing with your insurance company to deciding if it’s worth taking legal action against the other driver.
After reading this article, you’ll have all the information you need to handle an uninsured driver accident in Florida.
If you don’t know how to handle a car accident with an uninsured driver, here are some tips on how to handle it in the state of Florida.
Report The Car Accident
Report your car accident immediately.
Call 911 if anyone is injured or killed or you are suspected of serious injuries. You can also call non-emergency police dispatch at (911) for minor accidents or damage.
If no one is hurt, report your car accident within 24 hours to your local law enforcement agency by calling (your state’s toll-free number).
If you are unsure about whether any property damage is worth reporting, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and make that call anyway.
Get Medical Treatment Right Away
First, you should seek medical treatment right away. You don’t want to risk worsening your injuries or having them go unnoticed.
Once you receive medical attention, ask if they have any information about who was at fault for your accident.
In most cases, hospitals will keep records of any accidents that occur on their property—even if they weren’t involved—and those records can help you identify which driver was at fault for your car accident.
Finally, make sure to document everything as soon as possible after an uninsured-driver crash occurs.
That means taking pictures of any damage done to both vehicles and keeping track of all expenses related to repairing or replacing damaged property—including receipts from rental cars or taxis. In contrast, yours is being repaired or replaced!
Are you having trouble getting proper compensation for your injuries?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and can’t find who is responsible for your injuries, it’s time to contact a car accident attorney.
Unfortunately, uninsured drivers are more common than you might think.
According to AAA, one out of every seven Americans is currently driving without insurance. Because of that statistic, it may be difficult (if not impossible) for you to get proper compensation after an uninsured-driver crash.
Contact An Attorney As Soon As Possible
When you’re involved in an accident, one of your top priorities should be to contact a local car accident attorney in Jacksonville as soon as possible.
In fact, experts recommend you contact your car accident attorney within 24 hours of being involved in an auto crash.
Having legal representation on hand can help you minimize any financial loss and clear up confusion surrounding who was at fault for causing your collision.
While it’s important to report accidents through official channels, such as by calling 911 or getting yourself checked out at an emergency room, working closely with a car accident lawyer is key to recovering financially.
Take Pictures Of The Scene And Your Car Immediately
It’s difficult for police officers to collect evidence about your car accident if you don’t have clear photos of what happened.
If you’re worried about getting into trouble for taking pictures, know that it is perfectly legal in most states—and particularly in Florida—to take pictures of accidents or road hazards.
Plus, by capturing images, you can better help your car accident attorney build his or her case against the at-fault driver.
You should also take pictures of any injuries and communicate with your auto insurance company as soon as possible after an accident—they may be able to get you up and running again faster.
Get Informed About Your Legal Rights And Options
In Florida, if you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you may have legal recourse.
But it’s also important to know your options and get informed about them before you take any action.
Talk to a car accident attorney or call your local courthouse. (But note that not all courthouse employees will have up-to-date information on their websites.)
Most importantly, contact your insurance company and determine how they handle uninsured drivers.