WHAT HAPPENS IF THE OTHER DRIVER WAS UNINSURED?
What Happens If the Other Driver Was Uninsured?
All cars on the road in New York are legally required to be insured. However, not all drivers have insurance. Others don’t have insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements. If you’re involved in an accident with an insured driver, that can complicate things for you once you’ve exhausted the benefits under your own policy. If that happens, you might have a few different options.
First, you can collect additional benefits from your insurer if you’ve added uninsured motorist coverage (UM) to your policy. Insurers are required to offer this type of coverage, but you’re not required to purchase it. These benefits can cover the gap between what your primary policy pays and what the uninsured driver would have been responsible for.
Alternatively, you can file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. However, keep in mind that you can only recover what the driver can pay, even if you win. If the driver didn’t have insurance, there’s a good chance that they might not have the resources to satisfy a judgment, even if you win.
Fortunately, the uninsured driver might not be the only one on the hook for your injuries. Our New York City car accident lawyers will carefully investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine who else might have caused you to get hurt. We can pursue damages from all liable parties – especially those with deep pockets.
