The first thing to do after an accident with an uninsured motorist is to protect your health, document the crash, and turn to your insurance coverage for help. When the other driver has no insurance, paying for medical care, car repairs, and time missed from work becomes more complicated.
Our Charlotte uninsured motorist car accident lawyer will handle your insurance company after a crash with a driver who failed to carry the required coverage under North Carolina law.
Crashes involving uninsured drivers often lead to delays, denials, and close review by insurance companies. Knowing what steps to take early can help protect your claim and your right to pursue damages. Our Legal Team will help you through this process.
What Does It Mean to Be Hit by an Uninsured Motorist?
An uninsured motorist is a driver who does not have active auto insurance at the time of the crash. This may happen because the driver let their policy lapse, never purchased insurance, or drove a vehicle that was not properly covered.
In some cases, the driver may claim to have insurance but cannot provide proof. In others, the policy may exist but does not apply to the crash. North Carolina law requires drivers to carry insurance, but uninsured drivers still cause serious crashes every year.
What to Do Right After an Accident With an Uninsured Motorist
The steps you take at the scene matter, especially when insurance coverage is already an issue.
- Call 911: Ask for medical aid (if anyone needs it) and police assistance. The officer’s report helps document the scene.
- Medical care should come early: Pain and stiffness do not always show up right away, and treatment creates a record of caring for your injuries.
- Report the crash: Insurance companies rely heavily on the details in a police report.
- Get the driver’s information: The names, contact details, and license plate numbers you get will matter later.
- Photos can help. Images of vehicle damage, the roadway, and visible injuries often fill in gaps.
- Keep conversations brief at the scene. Avoid arguing or guessing about who’s at fault.
If the driver says they do not have insurance, tell the responding officer so that detail is noted in the report.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works in North Carolina
Under G.S. § 20-279-21, North Carolina auto insurance policies must include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage exists to protect you when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
Uninsured motorist coverage may help pay for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Other accident-related damages
UM coverage steps in for the uninsured driver’s missing policy. Even though this coverage comes from your insurer, the company still reviews the claim closely and may question fault, injuries, or treatment.
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Insurers Review Uninsured Motorist Claims Carefully
Even though state law requires drivers to have UM coverage, you can still expect the insurance company to approach these claims with extra scrutiny. Issues can come from how insurers review the crash, the injuries, and the timing of the claim.
Our Charlotte car accident lawyers are familiar with the things they look for when reviewing these cases, such as:
- How the crash is described in the police report and whether later statements line up with that account
- Where fault is being placed and what evidence is used to back it up
- Medical timing issues, including gaps in treatment or delays in seeing a doctor
- Questions about past injuries and how insurers read medical records
- How long the review takes, especially when decisions stall without explanation
- Pressure to settle early before the full scope of injuries is clear
Each of these factors plays a role in how insurers evaluate uninsured motorist claims. Our Team will review the details closely and address issues before they slow down your claim.
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Deadlines for Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim in North Carolina
If we have to sue to recover your losses, we have a set time to file your action with the civil court. North Carolina law places strict deadlines on injury-related claims.
In most cases, a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina must be filed within three years of the injury under G.S. § 1-52. When a crash results in a fatal injury, a wrongful death action usually has a shorter deadline of two years under G.S. § 1-53.
Waiting too long can cost you the chance to recover damages, even when uninsured motorist coverage is available. Our Legal Team will advise how long you have to pursue damages in court. If we work on your case, we will keep it on track to meet all deadlines and file it on time.
Got Into a Crash With an Uninsured Motorist? We Can Help
Legal help with an uninsured motorist claim can make a difference. The Charlotte personal injury lawyers at CR Legal Team will handle discussions with the insurer about your claim. We will also gather evidence to support your case and address delays or denials if they arise.
For more than 36 years, we have used Whole-Person Legal Care™ to help over 200,000 clients recover billions in damages for their injuries and losses. We draw from more than 100 years of combined legal experience when handling these claims.
Our values guide every case: Care Like Family. Listen To Learn. Do What’s Right. We Stand Up For You® by providing personal attention, clear communication, and steady advocacy throughout the process.
We are ready to help you move forward. Call us for a free consultation.
