Driver’s insurance is mandatory in Ontario, Canada. You are not legally allowed to drive a car without the minimum coverage required by Ontario law. If you are in an accident while not holding a valid policy of insurance, it may affect your rights to compensation.
If you have been in a car accident, you’ll know that it is a stressful time and that it is much more stressful when one of the drivers is uninsured. You may worry you are no longer covered for your injuries or are no longer entitled to claim if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver.
Below, we’ve gathered the information you will need about car accidents involving uninsured drivers and how they may affect your claim.
What Is An Uninsured Driver?
An uninsured driver is a driver who does not hold the minimum amount of insurance coverage required by Ontario law to drive a car. Each province handles insurance differently, and you must check the laws where you live.
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that you and any other drivers of your car are adequately insured before getting behind the wheel.
I Was In An Accident With An Uninsured Driver. Now What?
If you are in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you should follow the same protocol as you would if you were in a car accident with an insured driver. This means you should ensure the safety of drivers and passengers involved in the accident and contact the emergency services. If you find, at that point, that one or multiple drivers involved are not insured, it is important you report it to the police.
After an accident involving an uninsured driver, you should collect the same details you would from an insured driver. This includes:
- Name
- Phone number
- Address
- License plate number
- The make, model, and colour of their car
You may also want to note down the contact details of any witnesses to the accident as this can be especially important in cases like this.
Are My Injuries Covered?
After finding out you were in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you may wonder whether you are still entitled to compensation for your injuries. If you or any passengers in your car are injured, then your car insurance will provide Accidents Benefits coverage.
If you are injured in a car accident with an uninsured driver, and the other driver is found to be at fault, then you may also be entitled to additional compensation through something called Family Protection Endorsement. This additional coverage increases your third-party liability limits if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
The extent and limits of this coverage vary depending upon the particulars of your case, and each policy is different. You may need to contact your policy advisor or a personal injury lawyer to determine what you are entitled to in this case.
How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
A personal injury lawyer will be able to support you throughout any claims you make after a car accident with an uninsured driver. A car accident lawyer will help you determine the kind of compensation you are entitled to and support you in filing a claim. They will also represent you when needed to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
The aftermath of a car accident can be stressful, but a car accident lawyer can help make the claims process straightforward.
Searching For A Car Accident Lawyer In Hamilton? Call Virk Lawyers Now!
If you’re looking for a car accident lawyer in the Hamilton area, then Virk Personal Injury Law can help you. With a team of experienced car accident lawyers, we can ensure you get the compensation you deserve after an accident with an uninsured driver. Contact us today to find out more.