What Happens If You Get Hit By Someone Without Insurance In Arizona?

Picture this scenario: You were blissfully cruising down a highway when you were sideswiped out of nowhere by a negligent motorist. You suffer bodily injuries and it feels like you might have a concussion. If that was not bad enough, you find out the other driver has no auto insurance.

This scenario is more common in Arizona than you might think, where state law demands insurance coverage, and yet 11.8% of drivers choose to go without. So even though someone else broke the law, you could end up paying for it. But there could be another option.

How Are You Going to Get Paid?

Under Arizona law, all motorists are legally required to have a minimum level of auto liability insurance, which covers the costs if they are at fault in an accident. These limits are:

• • $25,000 for bodily injury per person

• • $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident

• • $15,000 for property damage per accident

Of course, none of this matters when you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. You are left wondering, “Who is going to pay for all this?” But do not worry, and consider these steps.

First, check your insurance company policy. Many Arizonans use Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM) and Underinsured Motorist coverage (UIM). Your UM policy covers the bills when the other driver has no car insurance at all, while the uninsured motorist insurance helps when their insurance is not enough to cover your expenses.

Now, what if you do not carry auto insurance, such as UM or UIM? You can take the other driver to court. Even if the liable party does not have substantial finances to pay you immediately for your medical bills and other damages, a legal judgment could result in wage garnishments or property liens against them.

Your health insurance carrier might also pay for your emergency room visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and other medical expenses. But the insurance company will probably want to get paid back if you win any money in a lawsuit or settlement. As for your car, if you have collision coverage, your insurer can pay for repairs. You will have to pay the deductible, but it is better than footing the whole bill.

The at-fault driver is sometimes not the only liable party. Was the road in a bad condition? Was there a defect in your car? Was another driver involved in the accident? An experienced Arizona car accident attorney can help identify all the responsible parties, and review your insurance policy with your insurance carrier and the other parties’ insurance carriers, so you do not miss out on any money that is rightfully yours.

Do This to Increase Your Chances of Recovering Compensation

Filing a police report is important after an auto accident. If you do not file an official police report, it may weaken your claim for damages. An accident report created by a law enforcement officer is an official account of what happened and can be invaluable when you file an insurance claim or if you end up filing a lawsuit. So, right after the crash, call 911 for assistance.

Next, grab your phone and start taking clear pictures of the injuries, the damage to both cars, any skid marks, and the entire crash site. If there are any people around who saw the collision, get their names and contact information. Do this only if you are not too injured, otherwise, stay in the car and wait for help to arrive.

If you can, jot down the events that led to the accident while it is fresh in your mind. Memory can get fuzzy, and you will want a clear record for later. Do not forget to call your insurance company to report the accident. After you have received medical attention, book your free consultation with a dedicated Arizona car accident lawyer.

Get Our Proven Car Accident Attorneys to Maximize Your Compensation

At the Wattel & York law firm, we are ready to offer you strong legal representation for your personal injury claim. We will collect all possible evidence and build a robust legal strategy to obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve for your injuries and losses. We have successfully negotiated cases where the initial offers from the other driver’s insurance company were far from fair, but we were able to obtain impressive settlements for our clients.

If it becomes necessary to take legal action against the uninsured driver, we have the expertise to represent you in court. Get ready to take the next step. Call us at 866-395-2032 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.