What to Do After an Uninsured Driver Pedestrian Accident
A car accident means, at minimum, one driver. No two drivers are going to be alike because no two people are alike. We encounter drivers that are deeply, shamefully irresponsible as well as drivers who are simply unlucky. The field of personal injury law makes legal judgements to assess responsibility, not moral judgements. Society at large may condemn a drunk or distracted driver, but our duty is merely to demonstrate their negligence in advocating for our clients. One category of consistently irresponsible driver we encounter is an uninsured driver. Driving without insurance not only leaves you with no financial protection against material losses and damages to your vehicle, it also complicates the situation considerably if you are involved in an accident with another vehicle, or a pedestrian. Today’s Malloy Law blog post will examine the best practices after an uninsured driver pedestrian accident.
Steps for Navigating the Aftermath of a Car Accident As a Pedestrian
If you are a pedestrian involved in a collision with an automobile, your health should be your number one priority. If you experience any pain or discomfort that might point to a major injury, don’t be afraid to get medical help as soon as possible. However, there are actions you may take in the immediate aftermath of the incident to support any personal injury or insurance claim, if you are able. These consist of:
- Call 911 – If the police are called to your accident, a police report will be created. An unbiased third party’s written description of your accident is called a police report. Additionally, the police might be able to issue a ticket or take the driver into custody.
- Exchange Contact Details – Contact details and insurance information should be shared amongst all parties involved in the collision.
- Take Pictures – Documenting the event “as-is” right after the crash can be highly beneficial if you are pursuing an insurance claim, criminal charges, or a personal injury lawsuit.
- Collect Witness Statements – Any eyewitnesses who were there at the scene of the accident can provide invaluable testimony. Obtain their names and contact details if they agree.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage can Help After an Uninsured Driver Pedestrian Accident
The easiest and most expedient means of receiving financial compensation after a collision with an uninsured driver is to make sure your own insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage. As the name implies, this policy feature means your insurance company will pay for your and your passengers medical bills in the wake of a collision with an uninsured motorist.
In most cases, uninsured motorist coverage will even cover you outside of your car. This policy item will generally apply in the event of an uninsured driver pedestrian accident
If You Do Not Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Your road to recovery is likely to be far more complicated if you do not have uninsured motorist coverage. An expedited payment is unlikely if no insurance providers are involved. Naturally, you have the option to hire an attorney and file a personal injury claim against the driver. For a number of reasons, this might not be the wisest course of action. The first is that you will have to pay for necessary medical intervention out of pocket because this will take a long time. Secondly, the economics might not be logical. Drivers without insurance frequently lack the financial means to pay for their insurance. This could mean that the other motorist might not be able to pay even if you receive a settlement. These unfortunate realities explain why car insurance is mandatory in most of the United States. People deserve compensation for these tragic accidents.
What About a Hit and Run?
In many cases, an uninsured driver involved in an accident will flee the scene rather than facing the consequences sure to result from their negligence. Luckily, uninsured motorist coverage will protect against these cases as well.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been involved in an uninsured driver pedestrian accident, Malloy Law can help. Our experienced team of attorneys is well-equipped to handle any pedestrian accident case and boasts a record of success across decades of combined experience. Contact Malloy Law today for a free consultation and let’s win your case.