After an accident, many people cannot afford to pay for medical treatment and car repairs. As a result, they often turn to the insurance company to help them pay the bills. However, what happens when you are involved in an accident without insurance? Further, if you cannot turn to the insurance company for assistance, then who will pay your mounting medical bills? Our South Carolina car accident lawyers address these questions and more in the following article.
If You Are at Fault After an Accident Without Insurance
First, if you are responsible for a car accident and do not have insurance, then you may face penalties and serious consequences. For example, in South Carolina, law enforcement may issue a fine of $550 for driving without insurance. Even worse, you could face jail time for up to 30 days and have your license suspended. Additionally, you will need to pay for any damage resulting from the accident. This includes damage to your car, as well as the other driver’s car. It also includes paying all parties’ medical bills.
Along with the consequences mentioned above, you may also be required to pay for SR-22 insurance in order to have your driving privileges reinstated. However, after an accident without insurance, your insurance premiums will likely be much higher than the state average.
Due to these penalties, many drivers panic after an accident without insurance. Thus, if you find yourself in this situation, then you need to contact a South Carolina car accident lawyer as quickly as possible. He or she can help you develop a strategy to minimize your liability and potentially reduce your penalties and consequences.
If You Are Not at Fault After an Accident Without Insurance
Finally, you may find yourself in a situation where you are not responsible for the accident and do not have insurance. In this situation, you can file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Since South Carolina is an at fault state, the driver responsible for the accident is also responsible for paying the damages his or her negligence caused, including car repairs. In addition, you can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering, among others.
However, while the process for recovering compensation appears straightforward in this situation, it rarely is. Often, the insurance company will attempt to lessen your payout, even if the insured driver was deemed negligent. Therefore, you may need an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney to help you handle negotiations. Without an experienced lawyer on your side, you may not receive the money you need to pay for your car accident damages.
Contact Our South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers
If you are involved in an accident without insurance, then you may have a difficult time recovering financial compensation. Of course, this will largely depend on the circumstances of the accident. As such, you need a personal injury law firm on your side. At the Law Offices of F. Craig Wilkerson Jr., our South Carolina car accident lawyers are ready to fight hard for your rights to compensation. Call us today at (803) 234-7200 or fill out our confidential contact form for more information.