What To Do if My Insurance Lapsed and I Got Into an Accident
Getting into a car accident is a stressful event under the best of circumstances. However, an accident can be especially stressful if you are not insured. Your insurance policy protects you from lawsuits from the other driver and, in some cases, pays your own losses, such as medical expenses. Without insurance, you will be paying for that by yourself.
Thankfully, you could have a path to compensation if another person caused the accident. The Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers could help you pursue a lawsuit and recover the damages you deserve. You can let a Lafayette car accident lawyer guide you on what to do if your insurance lapsed and you got into an accident.
You Need the Insurance Information for the Other Driver After an Accident
If you find yourself in an accident after your insurance coverage has lapsed, one of the first things you will need to determine is if the other driver had insurance. If you were not at fault for the accident, the other driver could have liability insurance that pays for your losses.
In order to be sure that there is coverage, you will need the other driver’s insurance information. You have the right to these details even if you are uninsured. Obtaining the policy number and the name of the insurance provider gives you the opportunity to file a claim. This claim could cover your losses if you were not at fault.
Seeking Compensation if Your Insurance Lapsed and You Got Into an Accident
When the other driver refuses to pay for your damages, an attorney can help. Even with a lapse in coverage, you still have the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit and obtain a monetary award for your injuries.
When the other driver is insured, you can count on them to rely on an attorney provided by their insurance company. Hiring an attorney of your own will level the playing field and ensure the court treats you fairly. The personal injury process is complex, so filing an injury case on your own is a major mistake.
An attorney can help you seek justice, even in cases where the other driver has no insurance. In that scenario, your attorney could file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party directly. While there might not be insurance proceeds to pay your claim, the other party might have other assets that could satisfy a judgment. You can spend years collecting on a judgment against an uninsured driver.
Even without insurance coverage of your own, you deserve to be compensated for an accident that was not your fault. Let our team of attorneys assist you with your case today.
Was Your Accident During the Grace Period of Your Insurance Lapse?
Some insurance companies will provide you with a grace period for coverage lapses due to non-payment. This grace period can vary depending on the terms of the policy, but it is often 10 to 20 days. The benefit of the grace period is that you have time to pay for your premium in full and continue on as if your coverage never lapsed.
This is especially important in the case of an accident. If your policy allows you to get caught up during the grace period, your accident should be covered. This could make the difference between paying for the accident yourself and letting your insurance carrier foot the bill.
Why Does it Matter if My Insurance Lapsed When I Wasn’t at Fault for an Accident?
If the other driver in the accident is at fault, their insurance policy should cover your losses. Unfortunately, accidents are not always this simple. A policy lapse can be a problem—even when you are not at fault.
First of all, determining fault is subjective. Even if you have little doubt that the other driver caused the accident, they might see things differently. In these situations, the auto insurance company is likely to side with its own policyholder. The problem can compound from there, as the other driver’s insurance provider will likely provide them with an attorney to handle their claim. This can make it difficult for you to get the outcome you deserve.
Things are even more difficult if the other driver also doesn’t have insurance. If they don’t have a policy that can cover your losses, you will be paying for them by yourself. If you had uninsured motorist insurance (UIM) in this situation, your carrier would pick up the slack and pay for your damages.
Make Sure to Get Insurance Coverage After an Accident
If you were involved in an accident and didn’t have a current auto insurance policy, one of the most important steps you can take is to insure yourself moving forward. Purchasing a new policy—whether it is liability or full coverage—can protect you in the case of a future accident.
Of course, purchasing insurance after being involved in an accident can be expensive. You are also likely to lose out on available discounts for letting your previous policy expire, so the odds are good that the cost of insurance will go up. Still, having this protection is vital in case you are in an accident again in the future.
A Car Accident Attorney Could Help Even if Your Insurance Lapsed
While there are consequences that can come with driving without insurance, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident that was not your fault. The lack of your own coverage could make your case more complicated, but that is where the guidance of experienced legal counsel comes in.
The team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is here to guide you on what to do if your insurance lapsed and you got into an accident. Contact us as soon as possible for your free consultation.
