Car accidents are stressful enough, but things get even more complicated when the individual who hit you is driving a stolen vehicle. People who steal a car and cause an accident often flee the scene to avoid getting caught. The vehicle owner cannot be held responsible since the thief was not authorized to take the vehicle.
You do, however, have possibilities for recouping your losses. A Toledo car accident attorney can explain these terms to you and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Thieves’ insurance coverage
After an accident, the negligent driver’s insurance carrier is responsible for providing compensation for the damages. Even if the at-fault party stole the vehicle they were driving, this premise still applies. Due to the fact that the thief was committing a crime at the time of the accident, the insurer may refuse to pay. Recovering damages from the driver of a stolen vehicle can be tricky.
It is also possible that the thief’s insurance carrier will not accept a claim because they didn’t remain at the accident scene. The challenge would be identifying which insurance company to contact if this were to occur. If the police discover them, you may be able to file a claim with their insurance coverage. The way forward should still be clear, even if they cannot be located.
Your Own Insurance Company
Toledo has minimal vehicle insurance requirements, but this only covers property damage and bodily injury resulting from a collision. Unfortunately, if you are not able to track down the driver of the stolen vehicle, you will not receive compensation. Nonetheless, depending on the type of insurance you are trying to obtain, you might be able to claim reimbursement from your own insurer.
The driver who fled the scene may be covered by an uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist policy (UIM). Your policy offers coverage if a driver strikes you and your passengers after fleeing the scene of an accident and cannot be identified. This type of insurance policy will cover you if, at a later date, an alleged perpetrator leaves the scene of an accident in a stolen vehicle.
Finally, if your insurance policy covers MedPay, you can utilize it to pay your medical expenditures. In all cases, it is recommended that one acquire UM (Uninsured Motorists) and UIM (Underinsured Motorists) insurance, aside from MedPay.