Finding out if someone has car insurance coverage can be critical for recovering damages if they caused your accident and injuries. You may have several ways to determine the car insurance details of another driver, if you have a good reason for doing so, including:

• Contacting local police and providing incident number and license plate information
• Contacting your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• Reaching out to the driver's insurance company directly

If you are struggling to recover what you need to put your life back together after suffering injuries and expenses in an accident, we can help. Contact Labrum Law today for free legal advice and guidance: (615) 338-9500.

Get in Touch with Your Local Police Department

Drivers are generally required to stay at the scene of an accident until law enforcement arrives, as not doing so can be a criminal offense. Calling the police can be your best first step at an accident scene. An officer will document the facts of the accident in a police accident report, which will include all drivers' contact details and insurance information.

If you suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident, law enforcement could still track down the other driver, particularly if you managed to make a note of their license plate and passed this on to an officer. The police will be able to conduct a record search and may be able to provide you with the other driver's insurance details.

Contact Your Local DMV Office

Your local DMV office can help you track down a driver and find out if someone has car insurance coverage, which can be particularly crucial in a hit and run accident or when a driver is not cooperating. However, you must have a valid reason for requesting the other driver's details, such as an accident, and you will have to have the details of their license plate.

If you suffered injuries in an accident and are struggling to file a claim with the at-fault party's insurance company, a Tennessee car accident lawyer can help.  The experienced car accident attorneys at Labrum Law can walk you through your options for recovering what you deserve. Call us for a free review of your case with one of our legal team members.

What Should I Do in a Hit and Run Accident?

If you have suffered damages and injuries in a hit-and-run accident, your options for recovery may be limited. However, you could still potentially determine whether the other driver had insurance, particularly if you managed to make a record of their license plate number and other pertinent information such as the make and model of their car. After a hit and run, you should call the police to file a report and provide all details of the accident so they can try to track the driver down.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), almost 24 percent of Tennessee vehicle owners were uninsured in 2018. Injured individuals getting into an accident with an uninsured driver can be left without much legal recourse and without the option of filing a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance. However, if this has happened to you, you could have other options for recovering your due, including:

Uninsured (UM) or Underinsured (UIM) Motorist Coverage

UM/UIM coverage protects individuals who get hurt and suffer damages in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. UM/UIM coverage tends to be the same as your liability coverage. However, not all drivers have this type of insurance as UM and UIM coverage are not  mandatory as per Tennessee law. If you are unsure whether UM or UIM are part of your car insurance policy, contact your insurance agent, who will be able to advise you.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you find out that someone did not have adequate car insurance coverage and that you cannot file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance, you can potentially sue them personally. Suing drivers without car insurance is not always a good option, however, as they may lack the means to compensate you adequately even if you win a lawsuit. Each case will have its own unique set of facts and circumstances.

A car accident lawyer can assess your accident and try to determine if the negligent party in your case might have the means to compensate you adequately. The attorney can then establish whether suing the uninsured driver could be a good option in your case and help you navigate the legal issues.

Compensation You Could Receive

If another driver or other party negligently caused your accident, you are generally entitled to damages which could include but are not limited to:

• Healthcare costs and future medical expenses
• Loss of wages and future loss of income
• Transport costs
• Household assistance
• Pain and suffering
• Reduction of life quality

While injured victims could receive various damages, there is no average settlement in car accident claims as each accident is unique. Compensation will depend on the severity of injuries and the extent of damages incurred by the victim, as well as on other factors.

Our Experienced Tennessee Car Accident Attorneys Can Fight for Your Rights

Getting hurt in a car accident that happened due to another's fault can be upsetting and frustrating. Having trouble recovering your due from a negligent driver and their insurance can cause additional stress and worry. Labrum Law knows the physical, emotional, and financial consequences that car accident victims and their families have to face. We have helped many car accident victims recover what they need to go on with their lives.

Do not wait to seek legal advice as you only generally have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit in Tennessee. Missing the deadline could bar you from recovering the settlement you deserve. Our dedicated car accident attorneys can work tirelessly on your case, helping you with:

• Protecting your legal rights
• Investigating your accident
• Collecting and organizing proof of your damages
• Liaising with your medical providers to determine your future medical costs
• Tracking and monitoring your insurance claim
• Negotiating with the at-fault party's insurance company

Labrum Law does not charge clients upfront fees. We only get paid if and when you win your car accident case and recover compensation. Find out if you have a case now in a free consultation: (615) 338-9500.