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Driving without car insurance is illegal in most states, yet there are still around 28 million uninsured drivers on the road in the US, an increase of 1.2%. Mississippi is the worst state for uninsured drivers and New Jersey has the least.
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If you were involved in a car accident while uninsured, you can face serious financial and legal consequences. Not only will you be fully responsible for covering the costs of repairs for both vehicles and any medical bills for injuries to others, but you also risk fines, license suspension, and even jail time in some cases.
You Have Zero Protection
Having no insurance puts you in a very vulnerable position if a car accident occurs. Without the protection of an insurance policy and an insurance company to handle claims, all liability gets placed directly upon your shoulders. Many drivers are unaware of just how financially devastating an at-fault accident can be without adequate coverage. The bills can easily total tens of thousands of dollars, which most people simply cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket. Even a minor fender bender where no one is injured can cost thousands to resolve if you have no insurance.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help the Uninsured Driver
Consulting a car accident attorney is highly advisable if you are the at-fault, uninsured driver in an accident. An experienced lawyer can provide legal counsel to help mitigate penalties and negotiate the claims process. They may be able to help you avoid license suspension or reduce fines and penalties. Most importantly, they can advise you on how to best approach the injured parties’ claims and demands for compensation.
Hiring legal representation shows you take the incident seriously and want to make things right. An attorney can negotiate with claimants on your behalf, displaying good faith. Though you will still bear responsibility for damages, a lawyer may convince the injured parties to accept a payment plan rather than demanding immediate payment-in-full. This can provide much-needed financial relief and avoid further legal action against you.
Without professional legal help, uninsured drivers often end up agreeing to unreasonable settlement terms, damaging credit ratings, and ongoing financial hardship from debts owed. Don't let this happen to you.
Seeking Legal Counsel for the Uninsured Accident Victim
If you were the victim of an accident caused by an uninsured driver, contacting an attorney for guidance is also crucial. Do not try to negotiate a settlement or agree to any compensation offers from the at-fault driver without first speaking to a qualified lawyer.
The attorney will handle correspondence and negotiations, pushing for a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, lost wages from work, car repair/replacement costs, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses. They will advise you on what forms of compensation to agree to accept and which to refuse.
With legal representation, victims are far more likely to avoid getting pressured into accepting an unfair, inadequate settlement offer. An experienced negotiator and case evaluator on your side can make all the difference. Your lawyer will pursue the full compensation you rightfully deserve.
They will take care of fighting for your best interests so you can focus on recovering from the accident. Too often, uninsured motorist victims end up settling for a fraction of what they are truly owed. Don't let an uninsured driver off the hook. Protect yourself with experienced legal counsel.