What happens when someone gets hit by an uninsured driver?

A car crash is among the last things someone wants to experience on the way home from work or when taking the kids to school. However, hundreds of people end up in collisions in Minnesota every day. Most of them only suffer minor injuries and inconvenience, but some of them incur major losses.

Regardless of the severity of the crash, the people involved will likely expect to file a simple insurance claim afterward. Unfortunately, there are some motorists in Minnesota who do not follow the state laws that require that they carry insurance. What happens if someone experiences harm as a result of a crash caused by an uninsured motorist in Minnesota?

Their own policy will potentially help

Minnesota has more robust insurance requirements than many other states. Everyone should have uninsured and underinsured motorist protection, typically in amounts equal to or just slightly lower than their liability coverage. That protection will help cover expenses when the driver at fault for the crash doesn’t have a policy.

Drivers will also have no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that will apply to their medical expenses and possibly lost wages after a collision. Everyone should have at least $40,000 of PIP coverage that can cover $20,000 worth of medical expenses and $20,000 of injury-related costs, like lost wages.

They can take the other driver to court

Just because someone doesn’t carry insurance does that mean they get to wash their hands of personal responsibility for the consequences of their actions. State law allows those with verifiable property damage and personal injury losses to file a lawsuit against someone who causes a crash through negligence or illegal actions, such as obvious violations of traffic statutes.

Pursuing a lawsuit is often a good option for those affected by a crash caused by an uninsured motorist, as otherwise their own policy premium will likely go up substantially. Some motorists will adjust their policies to increase their uninsured and underinsured motorist protection in case they get into a crash caused by someone who doesn’t comply with Minnesota insurance laws.

Knowing the options that are available after a serious car crash caused by an uninsured driver will benefit those involved in a wreck and allow them to make more informed decisions about their options.