Being in a car accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences you may encounter… It can also be one of the most frustrating. Navigating the moments after a car accident is scary, especially if you are injured in the process.
But what happens when you go to trade insurance information with the driver who hit you, and find out they have no insurance? Will you be able to recover compensation for medical bills and the damage to your vehicle?
Navigating a car accident when you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver can be a nightmare, but you don’t have to go through it alone. An experienced car accident attorney near you, like Hoffman Law Firm, can seek compensation on your behalf while you focus on recovery.
Keep reading to find out more about uninsured motorist coverage and how we can help in the aftermath of an accident.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you’ve ever shopped around for car insurance, you likely have encountered the term “uninsured motorist coverage.” An uninsured driver means the driver doesn’t have any insurance to cover costs in an accident, from property damage to injuries. Underinsured applies when they don’t have enough insurance coverage to cover the costs of the crash.
This coverage protects you if you get into a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver, where your own insurance will provide some coverage in place of the other person’s lack of insurance.
In South Carolina, the law requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. The state-mandated minimum amounts for uninsured motorist coverage are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 for all persons in a single accident
- $25,000 for all property damage in a single accident
It’s common for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages to exceed the amount of insurance coverage. Our car accident lawyers near you have extensive knowledge and experience in these types of cases and are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Happens If an Uninsured Driver Hits You? The Next Steps
Car accidents can be traumatic, leaving you disoriented and concerned with what to do next. In the moments following a car crash, it’s important to try to remember the following steps:
Gather Information
At this stage, it’s important to get all the information you can about the other driver and their vehicle. This will include their name, contact information, license plate, and make and model of vehicle. At this point, you may find out they don’t have the proper insurance coverage in place.
Report the Incident
Whether the accident was minor or severe, call the police to report what happened. They will handle gathering statements, filing a report, and addressing the lack of insurance for the other driver. Get a copy of the police report for your insurance claim–you’ll need it.
Witness Testimony
While the police may speak with eyewitnesses, it’s just as important for you to get the information you and your lawyers may need moving forward. Get their contact information and statements.
Seek Medical Attention
Car accident injuries can be incredibly severe, like a broken arm, or as minor as a headache. However, some injuries can go unnoticed until days or even weeks after an accident. Get medical help immediately to assess your injuries, if any.
Contact a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer – Hoffman Law Firm
In the case of an accident with an uninsured driver, it’s essential to have someone with experience and knowledge of South Carolina laws on your side. Hoffman Law Firm will help you navigate the next steps when it comes to filing a claim with your insurance and seeking compensation.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
South Carolina is a comparative negligence state, which means fault is assigned by percentage. If you are found to be a certain percentage at fault, you may only seek compensation for up to that percentage amount.
Having a car accident lawyer on your team could mean the difference between 50% at-fault versus 0% at-fault. They can help to build a case that assigns more fault to the uninsured driver and help you seek compensation for damages relating to:
- Car repairs
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver? Hoffman Law Firm Can Help
If you’ve been the victim of a car accident with an uninsured driver, you shouldn’t have to worry about the financial losses and mental anguish that comes next.
Our car accident lawyers at Hoffman Law Firm have made it our mission to fight for your right to compensation and guide you through every step of the legal process.
Plus, you only pay us if we win your case.
Located in Charleston, South Carolina, we proudly advocate for accident victims throughout the Palmetto State. As the locals’ trusted personal injury law firm, we have extensive experience handling a wide variety of cases. We have established a reputation for success, securing much-needed compensation for medical expenses, property damage, pain, and suffering, and more.
We have established a reputation for success and great service! To meet with a member of our team, schedule your free consultation today. We are here to help!
Cases We Handle
HOFFMAN LAW FIRM CASE RESULTS
$4,000,000 RECOVERED IN CAR ACCIDENT CASE
Recovered for a man struck by a box truck who had run a red light.
$2,500,000 RECOVERED IN CAR ACCIDENT CASE
Jury verdict for a woman with $200,000 in medical bills that was t-boned by a distracted driver.
$1,950,000 RECOVERED IN CAR ACCIDENT CASE
Recovered for a man who struck a poorly lit commercial trailer.
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