Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Kentucky? Here’s What They Don’t Tell You

Have you been hit by an uninsured driver but do not know how to deal with it? Well, you are not the only one! Rather, this is something that keeps happening from time to time.

It’s an unfortunate reality that car accidents involving uninsured drivers are all too common in Kentucky. And guess what? The aftermath can be bewildering for most people.

Why? Well, that’s because most victims are unaware of what to do if an uninsured driver hits them or causes an accident.

One of the first crucial steps is to report the incident to the police for documentation. This can be essential for any potential claims with your insurance provider.

Victims have legal avenues to seek compensation even if the other driver lacks insurance. Filing a claim under their own insurance policy’s uninsured motorist coverage can provide necessary relief.

In some cases, pursuing legal action might be necessary. Local legal assistance in areas like Leitchfield can support individuals through the process, ensuring they receive appropriate compensation.

Hi. In today’s blog, I will be talking about some of the things that you should do when an uninsured driver hits you. So, if you are trying to take the legal path, keep on reading this blog till the end and thank me later…

Understanding Kentucky’s Auto Insurance Requirements

Accidents are not a surprising event in Kentucky. Which is why it requires certain types of auto insurance coverage to protect drivers and passengers in the event of an accident.

This includes compulsory bodily injury and property damage liability, as well as additional options such as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Kentucky operates under a no-fault system, which mandates personal injury protection.

Insurance Coverage and Policies in Kentucky

For any driver in Kentucky, car insurance that covers bodily injury liability is a must. It should be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

This is of the utmost importance as it is the main source of any medical costs and compensations for the injured who are still within the policy limitations.

The property damage liability offer that must be kept is not less than $10,000 for the car owner. It is the coverage that can be used to pay the repair bills of the other car or property.

The state agrees to the minimum required Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000 per person. PIP provides the policyholder with instant medical benefits no matter who is at fault, and it is an absolute necessity in Kentucky, a no-fault state.

This system not only allows a faster claim payment but also helps to reduce the number of court cases related to accident settlements.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

While Kentucky insurers are responsible to provide uninsured motorist (UM) coverage according to Kentucky laws, policyholders do have the right to reject it officially in writing.

This is the insurance that is paid against medical expenses when an uninsured driver is a party in an accident. The standard minimum is generally $25,000 per one involved in an accident.

If you are not sure if the liability coverage of others will be enough for you, you can add underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to the utility value of your car.

It is worth noting that this coverage also helps to pay the excess needing to be covered in case the other party is underinsured.

UIM coverage can likely be very useful for people with high healthcare costs or big car repair bills.

Hit By an Uninsured Driver: Legal Steps to Take After the Accident

After an encounter with an uninsured driver, it’s crucial to follow a structured plan to defend your legal rights and secure possible compensation.

The steps taken immediately after the incident, making a claim through your insurance and consulting with legal professionals, are central to navigating this challenging situation.

Immediate Actions and Accident Reporting

First, ensure safety. Thus, examine the injured person’s condition and change your location to a safe place. Call the local police through the emergency services, as the report is the basis of all further legal and insurance actions.

For evidence, you should take photos of the vehicle’s damage and your injuries at the scene. In addition, remember to get the phone numbers and names of the witnesses. It is best that you write down all their statements as they can be your defense in the future.

If possible, you ought to also note the details of the careless driver without causing any conflict. The police report determines how the insurance claim is handled and how compensation for the injury and damage is demanded.

Pursuing Insurance Claims and Compensation

Secondly, if the other driver is to blame and uninsured, you can still claim compensation from your car insurance company.

Kentucky follows the no-fault policy, where the driver usually uses his own insurance to pay for medical bills and replace lost wages. To do this, you need a first-party claim from your insurance company.

You should review your car insurance policy to see if it includes uninsured motorist coverage. This can further protect you in such accidents.

Submitting the police report and the evidence that you have gathered to your insurance company is very important. This step will surely make it easier for them to process the claims quickly.

Take special care while filing it to be aware of the potential increase in your insurance rates, even though it is a part of the compensation that has been affected by the accident.

Seeking Legal Advice from Car Accident Attorneys

If you’re still not sure where to file your claim, you can always address that with a lawyer who is dealing with personal injury law. 

The lawyers will partly fight for you and also instruct you about the rights for compensation from the insurance company.

Additionally, in the event of no choice, pursue the legal way to claim the uninsured driver was negligent.

They provide a situation analysis and can suggest the most effective method of dealing with your subject. All this will depend on the case, the evidence, and the law applicable in Kentucky. 

At such moments, it may be very important for you to have such an advisory at hand while dealing with potential disputes in claims. When filing a legal case, it is really necessary to recover the losses for which you did not receive compensation.

With a qualified legal representative, you get yourself fully acquainted with the law. Consequently, this will ensure that you know the legal field and give you peace while at it. And all this will lead to better results.

Read Also:

• Recouping Deposits When Car Transport Services Are Not Rendered
• How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You After a Crash
• Legal Considerations Every Driver Should Be Aware Of