In the province of Nova Scotia, vehicle owners are required to have automobile insurance coverage. In the event you are injured by a party who does not have insurance and you have vehicle insurance you will receive coverage. This is under Section D of the insurance policy called Liability Coverage for Uninsured and Unidentified automobiles. The unfortunate reality is that not everyone plays by the rules. Accidents happen, and sometimes the collision could happen with an uninsured driver.
Uninsured drivers drive their vehicle without carrying the minimum mandatory insurance coverage policy. In the province of Nova Scotia, it is illegal to drive without insurance. There are some very serious penalties and fines for any driver who has been caught without insurance. The penalty for the first offense can be $2000-$4000 which can increase to $3000-$5000 for additional offenses. There can also be license suspensions and an uninsured vehicle can be placed in an impound for 90 days.
What happens if I have been injured by an uninsured driver?
Under the Nova Scotia Insurance Act, every vehicle insurance policy includes coverage for damages caused by an uninsured or unidentified driver. This section of the policy is referred to as Section D coverage. Your insurance provider will pay your claim for any injuries caused by an uninsured driver or unidentified driver in the instance of hit and run under this section of the policy. The minimum coverage amount of section D coverage for Nova Scotian Policyholders is $500,000. Section D coverage only takes effect if no claim can be made against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
Section C of your policy will cover damage sustained by your vehicle in a car accident with an uninsured or unidentified driver. This part of your policy will cover the costs of repairing your vehicle. You may be required to pay a deductible when filing a claim, the amount you pay will depend on your insurance.
As always, Section B coverage will cover your medical expenses up to $50,000, or four years of expenses from the date of the accident regardless of whether you are hit by an unidentified/uninsured driver or not.
How to file a claim if the other party does not have insurance
The steps to file a claim for an accident that involve an uninsured or unidentified driver will be the same process that you would go through with a regular claim but there are a few requirements. You have 30 days to file a section D claim with your insurance company. Your insurance provider will also require that you file a police report within 24 hours of the accident. To prevent any delays in getting your coverage, you should contact your insurance provider as soon as the accident occurs. Generally, insurance companies will want quick notice so that they can commence their investigation and try to find the uninsured driver. If they do succeed in finding the driver, and the driver is insured, there insurance company will compensate you for any injury or loss sustained because of the accident.
Contact Our Accident Lawyer in Halifax Today for Help with Your Car Accident Claim
Most accident victims do not immediately know what their rights are or how to commence an injury claim. Hiring a lawyer in the early stages will assist you through the complex process and help you understand how the injury claims process works.
Having a car accident lawyer will help you determine how laws are interpreted including the Motor Vehicle Act, the Insurance Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. A competent car accident lawyer in Halifax will investigate the accident, ensure you have all the important documentation, explain to you how the process will proceed from one stage to another, and ensure you get full compensation. Reach out to us now for help with your car accident claim.