Joliet Uninsured & Underinsured Accidents Attorney

What to Do If Injured in a Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver

Perhaps the one thing that tends to give people some peace of mind after an auto accident is the expectation that insurance will pay for the costs of the crash. Car insurance is an integral part of driving for every driver operating legally in Illinois. It is required by law for a reason - accidents happen, and they can be quite costly when they do.

Unfortunately, there are still people who choose to keep driving without adequate insurance, or worse, with no insurance at all. After you have experienced an auto accident, the last thing you want to find out is that the driver responsible is among the many that do not have insurance. You may be left wondering how you will pay your medical bills, or afford to replace your vehicle. You may worry about being left to deal with the fallout of missing work and not getting paid while your bills pile up. The good news is that even if a driver who hit you was uninsured or underinsured, there are still ways an attorney may be able to help you recover the costs associated with an accident.

Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC is skilled in helping people who have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver recover the compensation they need. We understand the stress and challenges that come with suffering in a collision caused by a driver who chooses to ignore Illinois' insurance requirements. In many cases, people find the coverage they need from their own insurance policies. However, insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out what a claim is worth to their own policyholders. This is where we come in.

Who Pays for an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Accident in Illinois?

The most common source of compensation in uninsured and underinsured cases is the injured person's own insurance policy. Illinois requires car insurance companies to offer their customers uninsured motorist coverage that can cover the costs of an accident if the at-fault driver's insurance policy cannot.

Uninsured motorist coverage can cover many of the same expenses and financial losses that are traditionally covered by the at-fault driver's insurance, such as:

• Lost wages
• Hospital bills
• Follow-up care costs, like surgery, outpatient care, or physical therapy
• Long-term care costs for those who have suffered catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or back and spinal cord injuries
• Vehicle repair costs or totaled vehicle compensation
• Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering

Illinois uninsured motorist coverage is also likely to cover accidents in which someone is hit by a driver who did not stop to help or exchange information. This is common when a bicyclist or pedestrian is hit by a car, or after drunk-driving accidents in which the driver fears arrest and flees the scene.

Can I Sue an Uninsured At-Fault Driver?

Another option after an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver is to pursue compensation from the driver directly through a personal injury lawsuit. However, spending time and energy on this strategy can backfire if the driver simply does not have the money to pay a settlement. A personal lawsuit is generally only a good option if the at-fault driver can be identified and has wealth sufficient to pay these expenses out-of-pocket.

Contact a Naperville Uninsured Driver Accident Attorney

If you have been injured by a car accident with a driver who fled the scene or who had no insurance or inadequate insurance, Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC can help. Our skilled team will do everything we can to see you properly compensated. To begin with a free consultation, please contact us at 815-730-1977.