Hit by an Uninsured Driver in North Dakota? Here’s What to Know

Car accidents are stressful under any circumstances. Finding out that the driver who hit you doesn’t even have the required insurance isn’t going to make you feel any better. You’ll probably find yourself worrying about how you’re going to manage to pay for your car repairs, medical bills, and other damages.

A North Dakota car accident lawyer can explain your options to you and advise you on what to do next. Even though the situation may seem unfair, there are still ways to recover compensation after an accident with an uninsured driver.

What does it mean if a North Dakota driver is “uninsured”?

If you don’t have car insurance, you are an uninsured driver. Drivers in North Dakota must have liability insurance, or else they will be breaking the law. This insurance is supposed to cover the damage or injuries they cause to other people.

When a driver breaks this law and causes an accident, the injured person may face additional challenges. It can be harder to navigate the claims process because there isn’t an insurance company on the other side to cover your losses.

How does North Dakota handle uninsured drivers?

North Dakota is a “no-fault” insurance state. This means that after an accident, no matter who caused it, you usually look to your own insurance policy first.

All drivers in North Dakota must have Personal Injury Protection insurance. PIP coverage can help you cover damages like medical bills and lost wages if you can’t physically work, as well as certain out-of-pocket expenses.

Can I still recover compensation?

Like so many other legal questions, the answer is, “it depends.” If the driver who hit you is uninsured, you may still be able to collect compensation. Depending on the facts surrounding your accident, this can happen in one of several ways.

Your policy should include uninsured motorist coverage, which can help pay for bodily injury damages if the driver who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance.

Barring that, you might be able to file a claim against the driver who caused the accident directly, though North Dakota’s no-fault rules and serious-injury threshold can affect what damages are available depending on the facts and parties involved. But it can be hard to get money from an uninsured driver if they don’t have any assets.

What types of compensation may be available?

Compensation from an accident involving an uninsured driver can come through your own insurance or, in other cases, by bringing a lawsuit.

You might be able to get back money for:

• The costs of treatment, hospital stays, medications, and future care
• Wages you lost while you were recovering or because you couldn’t work as much as you used to
• Physical pain and emotional distress, provided that your case qualifies to move outside the no-fault system under North Dakota law.
• The cost of fixing or replacing your car (through collision coverage or a direct property-damage claim)

The kinds of compensation you get will depend on the details of the accident, your injuries, and your insurance coverage.

What makes uninsured driver cases so complicated?

When the driver who caused your accident is uninsured, dealing with an accident becomes a lot more difficult. Even if you are going through your own insurance company, they may still make you a lowball offer.

At the end of the day, insurance companies are for-profit businesses that prioritize profits over people, so they make every effort to pay as little as possible. They might try to accomplish this by downplaying your injuries, stalling your claim, or refusing to offer you what it’s worth.

Figuring out how PIP and uninsured motorist coverage work together can be tricky. This is where an experienced lawyer can explain your choices and how each one will progress your claim.

What steps should I take after a North Dakota car accident?

If you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, you need to take the right steps to protect your claim. Taking immediate action can help preserve evidence that supports your side of the story and, by extension, increase your odds of getting fair compensation.

Notify the highway patrol or local law enforcement so an accident report can be made. You also need to see a doctor so that any internal or “invisible” injuries can be ruled out. Make sure you tell the insurance company about the accident as soon as you can. Try to take pictures, get the names and contact details of any witnesses, and keep detailed records of everything to do with the accident. You should also never accept a settlement offer until you know what your claim is worth.

How can a lawyer help my case?

Having a North Dakota car accident lawyer in your corner can make the claims process easier and less stressful. They can make sure you know your rights, review your auto insurance coverage, and give you some idea of what your claim may be worth.

They can deal with insurers on your behalf and gather reliable evidence that strengthens your case. Should it become necessary, they can also represent you in court.

Hit by an uninsured driver? Contact Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, it’s normal to feel angry and confused. Fortunately, you have choices. You might still be able to collect compensation and put the accident behind you if you go about doing things the right way.

If you were injured by an uninsured driver, talking to a North Dakota car accident lawyer can help you feel confident about what to do next. Call Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers or fill out the contact form on their website to set up your free consultation.