Thousands of car accidents are reported daily as the number of automobiles increase on the roads. In today's busy world, accidents happen as drivers rush to their destinations. The important thing is to know what to do after a collision.

Usually, the other party's insurance company compensates for the damages, medical bills, travel costs, lost wages, and other damages incurred after the accident. However, a problem may arise if the other person has no insurance coverage.

Insurance Research Council reports that about 14% of the driving population is not insured. Being informed that the other person is uninsured makes a bad accident worse. It is important that you talk the matter with an experienced auto accident attorney. The attorney will guide you on how the law protects your rights in that case.

Steps To Do After An Accident

• Note down the driver's name and contact information, if possible.
• Note down the license plate number, because if the driver was driving someone else's vehicle, you can hold that person liable and claim damages from them in the future.
• Take pictures of the scene.
• Make sure to get medical treatment immediately.
• Talk to your insurance company. It will cover your damages. It is assumed that you are 'properly insured.'
• Get Uninsured Motorist (UIM) and/or other coverage. It protects you from damages from Uninsured Driver Accident.

1. Uninsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage

You can purchase Uninsured Motorist Coverage from your insurance company. UIM coverage shields you in cases when you have an accident with an uninsured driver.

You have to claim UIM Coverage as soon as possible after the accident. This is because most insurance companies limit the amount of time policyholders have from the time of accident. The time limit is as low as 30 days. For instance, if the policyholder had an accident on May 1, then he or she has 30 days to claim UIM coverage.

UIM coverage cannot exceed your liability coverage. For example, if you have $50,000 in total liability coverage per accident, the UIM coverage cannot exceed that amount.

2. Collision Coverage

Collision coverage will pay to repair damages to your vehicle caused from a collision with an uninsured driver. The coverage is also beneficial in a hit-and-run accident.

Filing a Lawsuit

The law gives you a chance to file a lawsuit against an uninsured driver provided that you don't live in a no-fault state or 'traditional negligence' state.

No-fault state - If you live in a no-fault state, you can sue only if any or both of the following two conditions hold true:

• You suffered serious injuries, and
• Incurred medical bills over a certain amount.

Traditional negligence - In this case, you can file a lawsuit. However, even if you prove that the other party was at fault, nobody can guarantee that you can collect anything, even a dime.

Many people who are uninsured have little in the way of money or assets, so it's a losing battle to collect anything on the judgment.