What To Do If You’re Hit By An Uninsured Driver
Posted on: February 26, 2026You already know what to do after a car accident: call the police, exchange information, and report the crash. But what happens if you get hit by an uninsured driver?
Unfortunately, it is more common than most people realize. According to the Insurance Research Council,about 15% of drivers are uninsured. In Florida, those numbers are even higher – roughly 1 in 5 drivers are uninsured and nearly 4 in 10 are underinsured.
That means even if the other driver does have insurance, it might not be enough to cover your medical expenses,
lost wages, or property damage after a crash.
If you have just been hit by an uninsured driver, you are probably feeling confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed.
You still have injuries to treat. A car to fix. Time off work to deal with. But suddenly, your path to compensation
seems unclear – and the clock is ticking.
So what happens now? What are your options? And how can you protect yourself from paying out of pocket for someone
else’s mistake?
Let’s walk through what happens after an accident with an uninsured driver and how you can recover what you’re owed.
What Happens If an Uninsured Driver Hits You?
Being involved in an accident is stressful enough, but learning the other driver does not have insurance adds a
whole new layer of frustration.
Florida is a no-fault state, which means that regardless of who caused the crash, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will help cover a portion of your medical bills and lost wages.
But there is a catch: PIP only covers 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages, and it is capped at $10,000.
For many accident victims, that is not nearly enough.
Also important: Florida’s PIP system has rules that can affect benefits if you wait too long to get medical care.
If you are hurting (or symptoms show up later), it is smart to get checked out as soon as possible – both for your
health and to help protect your ability to use coverage.
What to Do Right Away After an Uninsured-Driver Crash
When the other driver has no insurance, the details matter. The steps you take early can make it easier – or harder –
to get your bills and losses covered later.
At the scene
- Call 911 and ask for law enforcement. A police report can be crucial when the other driver is uninsured or gives questionable information.
- Get medical help if you need it. Do not try to “tough it out.”
- Take photos and video: vehicle damage, license plates, the scene, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
- Get witness names and contact info if anyone saw what happened.
- Exchange information anyway (name, phone, address, vehicle info). If they cannot provide insurance, document that.
In the next 24-72 hours
- Get a medical evaluation, even if you feel “mostly okay.” Many injuries show up later.
- Report the crash to your insurer, but be careful about recorded statements. You can provide basic facts without guessing or speculating.
- Start a simple folder (paper or digital) for: the crash report, photos, medical records, prescriptions, repair estimates, and proof of missed work.
- If the other driver fled, gave fake info, or you suspect intoxication, tell the police and your insurer immediately.
Wondering if you have a case? Take our quiz to find out.
If you have been hit by an uninsured driver, you might feel like you have run out of options. But even without their
insurance, there are still ways to pay for damages after a crash.
Here are your main options:
- Use your PIP coverage. Florida drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection, which can help with immediate
medical care and income loss – but only up to the $10,000 limit. - File a claim under your own collision coverage. If you have collision coverage as part of your auto insurance policy,
it can help cover damage to your vehicle, regardless of fault. This is often the biggest relief for people asking,
“If the other driver has no insurance, who pays to fix my car?” - Use
uninsured motorist coverage (UM).
If you opted in for this optional – but highly recommended – coverage, it can help fill the gaps left by the other driver’s lack of
liability insurance. Unfortunately, if you did not already have uninsured motorist coverage in place at the time of the accident,
you will not be able to add it retroactively. - File a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In theory, you can sue the other driver. But if they do not have insurance,
they may not have assets either, which makes it difficult (if not impossible) to recover any meaningful compensation.
Trying to navigate this on your own is tough – especially when you are also trying to recover from injuries. The truth is, accident victims in these situations often get discouraged or settle for far less than they deserve simply because they do not know what is available to them.
That is why it is so important to understand uninsured motorist coverage: what it is, how it works, and why it might be your best safety net when the other driver has nothing.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is a type of insurance that protects you when another driver does not have car insurance – or does not have enough of it to cover your damages. In Florida, where many drivers are uninsured or underinsured, this coverage can be a lifesaver.
UM coverage can help pay for:
- Your injuries
- Lost wages
- And in many cases if the injury is permanent,
pain and suffering
While UM is optional in Florida, many drivers actually have it without realizing – especially if they did not reject it in writing when they purchased their policy.
How to find out if you have UM coverage
To find out if you have UM coverage, look at your auto insurance declarations page for the terms “UM” or “Uninsured Motorist.” If you are unsure, contact your insurance agent.
If you do not have UM coverage, now is the time to consider adding it – before the next auto accident puts you in a difficult spot.
If You Don’t Have UM Coverage, What Are Your Options?
Not having UM can feel like a dead end, but you may still have a few paths, depending on your policy and your situation.
- Start with PIP for immediate medical bills and lost wages (up to the limit).
- Use collision coverage for vehicle repairs (if you carry it).
- Consider whether health insurance applies for medical care beyond PIP (rules vary by plan, so it is worth asking).
- Evaluate whether a lawsuit is realistic. If the at-fault driver truly has no insurance and no assets, it may cost more time and stress
than it is worth.
This is also where an attorney can help you understand what coverage you actually have and whether there are any overlooked options, without you spending hours on the phone getting bounced around.
Common Mistakes That Can Hurt an Uninsured-Driver Claim
If you are dealing with an uninsured driver, avoid these common pitfalls:
- Waiting too long to get medical care or failing to follow up on symptoms
- Giving a recorded statement while you are still rattled (or guessing about what happened)
- Accepting a quick settlement before you understand your injuries and costs
- Not documenting lost wages, medical visits, prescriptions, or out-of-pocket expenses
- Assuming you “don’t have coverage” without checking your declarations page carefully
Why You Should Contact an Attorney
Even if you have uninsured motorist coverage, the process is not always straightforward. Insurance companies are often quick to minimize payouts or delay claims – yes, even when you are their customer. That is where an uninsured motorist accident lawyer can step in.
- Calculate the full value of your claim including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Negotiate with your insurance company and push back if they offer less than your claim is worth.
- Gather evidence and build your case so you are not left proving your injuries or damages alone.
- Handle the legal paperwork and deadlines while you focus on your recovery.
At Beers & Gordon, we have helped thousands of clients who thought they had no options left. Without an attorney, most people do not even know what kind of compensation they are entitled to – or how to get it. You should not have to fight for fair treatment while also healing from a crash. Let us do the heavy lifting.
Get the Compensation and Clarity You Deserve
Getting hit by an uninsured driver can leave you feeling frustrated, confused, and unsure where to turn. But you still have options – and
with the right help, you can protect your finances, your future, and your peace of mind.
At Beers & Gordon, we have helped countless Florida drivers recover compensation after an uninsured motorist accident. We know how to work
with your insurance, uncover every available option, and fight for what you are truly owed.
Don’t leave money on the table. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your coverage, and make sure you
don’t have to fight this battle alone.
Jim Gordon
Jim Gordon earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1997, and two years later began working at a firm in Orlando handling insurance defense matters on cases involving vehicle accidents, negligence, product liability, and more. He established Beers & Gordon P.A. with David Beers in 2009 to represent the rights of people injured because of negligence. He is a member of the invitation-only National Trial Lawyers organization and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.