Being involved in a car accident can be a trying time, and if you don’t have insurance it can be even more so. Your obligations and the action you need to take after the accident will largely depend on if you were at fault in the accident or not. Here’s a look at the basics of each situation.
You were in a car accident, have no insurance but not at fault
The driver who was at fault in the accident is the one responsible for paying for any damages you have experienced as a result of the accident. This includes repairing your vehicle or any other personal property damaged as well as the cost of a rental car for you to use while your car is at the repairer.
If the at-fault driver does have insurance, that makes it fairly easy for you to get a rental car without paying anything out of your own pocket. With Acorn Rentals, you can access a courtesy car with the cost being charged directly to the at-fault driver’s insurer. Getting a free rental car is fairly simple too; you can apply online or over the phone and when you need the car, it can even be delivered to you and then picked up when yours is ready to be driven again.
To recover the costs of repairs to your vehicle and other personal property that was damaged, in most cases you’ll need to send a letter to the at-fault driver along with estimates of the repair costs from a licensed repairer. If the other driver has insurance, they will likely forward this letter to their insurer and you may then deal with the insurance company.
For more guidance on recovering damages from the other driver, or if you have difficulties doing so, you may need to seek legal advice. Each state generally has resources and processes in place for people to follow in this situation, so contact the relevant organisation or government body in your state such as Legal Aid.
If you were at fault
If you were the driver who caused the accident and don’t hold insurance, you’ll likely be responsible for covering damages caused to the other driver. This can include the cost of repairing their vehicle, the cost of a rental car while theirs is being repaired, towing fees and the costs associated with replacing any damaged personal property.
You may receive a letter or a court form from the other driver or their insurance company requesting payment for the damages associated with the accident. If you have doubt about being 100% responsible for the accident, or any concerns about paying the requested damages, you should seek legal advice as well. Again, a good place to start with figuring out what your rights and obligations are is with a government body such as Legal Aid in your state.
