If you have been in a car accident before, you probably know a bit about how the process works. You pull over, assess the damage, and exchange information. You call the police and report the accident in accordance with state law. Then the insurance companies get to work.
But what happens if the driver who hits you does not have insurance? This can complicate matters and make pursuing economic and noneconomic damages a bit more complex. That is when you may want the assistance of a Lake Charles uninsured car accident lawyer. If you were involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation and learn more about your legal options today.
Complications with Uninsured Motorists
There are multiple types of insurance coverage, and some are optional, but there is a particular type of coverage that is mandatory and non-negotiable. If you drive a car in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Insurance (DOI) requires you to have liability coverage. This pays for bodily injuries and property damages that you cause in an accident. This insurance is designed to protect and compensate others.
Now you might realize why an accident with an uninsured motorist can be a problem. If they do not have liability coverage, how are you reimbursed for the damage you have suffered?
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Your Insurance May Help
In some cases, your insurance can help cover the damages if you have suffered an injury in an accident with an uninsured driver. Types of insurance coverage that may help cover your expenses include:
- Medical payments coverage: this type of coverage can pay for medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault in an accident. This coverage is for you, your family members who may have been in the car, and any other passengers. However, there is an upper limit to how much your policy will pay for.
- Collision coverage: this coverage helps pay for repairs to your vehicle, regardless of who was at fault. This coverage is optional, and drivers may drop it when their car reaches a certain age.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: this type of coverage is specifically designed for accidents like these. Uninsured motorist coverage can cover the cost of property damage or injuries suffered in an accident with an uninsured motorist. There is a deductible for property damage and a limit on how much this will cover. We also want to note that there is an “economic-only” variant of this coverage that will not cover certain types of non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
You May Pursue Compensation
As you can see, your insurance coverage may help you cover expenses in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver. However, there are limits, and depending on the severity of an accident, your coverage may not be enough. At that point, you can pursue additional damages from the other driver.
There is one important thing to keep in mind, though. If a driver does not have insurance, they may also have a lack of assets. In these cases, it can be difficult to pursue monetary damages. An uninsured driver may not be able to pay out for your expenses in one lump sum as an insurance company would. That is why you may want to call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 to learn more about your legal options.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Types of Damages
Our car accident lawyers in Lake Charles will help you seek compensation to cover any losses you have dealt with due to your injuries. When you pursue a case and ask for compensation, there are generally two types of damages that you may receive:
Economic Damages
Economic damages include anything that has a specific monetary value, such as:
- Medical bills: if you ended up in the hospital or had to visit doctors, those costs can begin to add up. You can pursue damages that cover these bills along with the costs of prescriptions, therapy, and any other type of medical bills associated with your motor vehicle accident.
- Property damage: if your vehicle was damaged in the accident and your insurance does not cover the full cost of repairing or replacing it, you may be able to pursue compensation that can help you pay these bills.
- Lost wages: if you are injured, you might end up being out of work for a while, and missing paychecks can affect the financial health of any household. You can sue for lost wages and even lost earning potential if your injuries could prevent you from working in the same capacity or making the same salary as before.
Non-Economic Damages
This category includes anything that does not have a specific dollar value, such as pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
How a Lawyer May Be Able to Assist You
You do not have to hire a lawyer to pursue damages after an accident, but a Lake Charles uninsured car accident lawyer may be able to help you in more ways than one. A lawyer may assist you by:
- Using their expertise: a lawyer has more knowledge of the law than you do and has experience trying cases like yours.
- Acting as your advocate: your lawyer will act with your best interests in mind. That means making sure that your compensation is adequate, handling all communications for you, defending your rights to the best of their ability, and taking your case to court if necessary.
- Gathering evidence: your lawyer may gather the evidence needed to make your case, from eyewitness accounts to police report info.
Evaluate Your Legal Options Today
These are just a few ways in which a Lake Charles uninsured car accident lawyer could help with your case. So if you have been injured in a collision with an uninsured motorist, call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777. You have nothing to lose by learning more about your legal options, and we do not charge you unless you receive a settlement. Just remember that there is a limited amount of time to pursue damages in a personal injury case in Louisiana. Per Louisiana Civil Code (CC) § 3492, you generally have just one year to file your suit.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
