What happens if I don't have auto insurance, but I wasn't at fault for the crash?

Insurance may not have an impact on determining fault in a car accident, but it can get drivers into serious trouble after a crash. In Tennessee, anyone driving without car insurance who is involved in a wreck can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, and they can be held personally liable for any injuries they cause.

However, people who are struck by cars while walking, riding bikes, or riding as a passenger in a vehicle may not have auto insurance. So who should pay for their medical bills, lost income, and property damage?

The At-Fault Driver Pays for the Crash in Tennessee

Tennessee is a fault state, meaning the person who caused the car accident is liable for damages. It can take some time for payment through a third-party insurer to come through, so you may have to use your own medical insurance for emergency care and follow-up treatment. Your health insurance provider will be paid back for these costs through the third-party insurer, so don't put off medical treatment!

You may be reimbursed for your accident losses through:

• The other driver's insurance company. The at-fault driver's insurance company is supposed to pay for any covered accidents up to the policy limit. Unfortunately, Tennessee laws make it difficult to tell exactly what that policy limit is.
• The driver of your vehicle. If the person driving the vehicle you were riding in was more than 50% at fault for the crash, you would make a claim under their insurance policy.
• A personal injury lawsuit. An insurance company may try to deny your claim by telling you that the crash isn't covered under the policy, blame someone for causing the accident, or pay far less than the amount of your damages. When this happens, you may need to file a lawsuit against the insurer, the at-fault driver, or both.

If you were injured in a wreck through no fault of your own, contact the Franklin car accident attorneys at GriffithLaw today or give us a call at (615) 807-7900. We work to get you the compensation you deserve, explain all costs to you, and don't collect any payment unless your case is successful.