Uninsured Driver Car Accident Lawyers in Burlington, VT 

Having a car accident is bad enough. But realizing the other driver doesn't have insurance? That feels like having the rug yanked from beneath your feet. Confusing, frustrating, and just plain unfair. In Burlington, where the streets are at once busy and quiet, this type of accident happens all too frequently.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of an accident caused by an uninsured driver, you may wonder where to start. At Horn Wright, LLP, we understand how overwhelming this can be. Our job is to take that stress off your shoulders and fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Is an Uninsured Driver Accident?

An uninsured driver is someone who’s out on the road without the legally required insurance. In Vermont, that’s a big problem. When someone without insurance causes an accident, it puts the burden of recovery on you. You’re stuck dealing with medical bills, car repairs, and missed work—all while wondering how you’ll make ends meet.

Burlington may be a small city, but accidents caused by uninsured drivers happen here too. Maybe you've been rear-ended near Church Street Marketplace or had a fender bender on North Avenue. Wherever it happened, you shouldn't have to pay the price for someone else's bad decisions. 

What Vermont Law Says About Insurance

In Vermont, the law is clear: every driver needs insurance. Minimum requirements include:

• $25,000 Bodily Injury Per Person: Pays for your medical expenses and recovery per injured person in an accident. 
• $50,000 Bodily Injury Per Accident: Aids when multiple people are injured within an accident; this amount will be distributed to each of them 
• $10,000 Property Damage: This is for the actual damage to your car and other property.

Another key requirement is that of uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This form of insurance kicks in if the other driver lacks adequate or any coverage. It is your fallback—but it isn't always easy to file such claims. 

What To Do After a Car Crash Caused by an Uninsured Driver

Most people feel extremely stressed out after an accident. That's normal. But taking the right steps can make all the difference. Here's what you should do: 

1. Make Sure Everyone's Safe: First things first—check yourself and others for injuries. If it's safe to do so, move your vehicle out of traffic.
2. Call the Police: Do not skip this step. A police report is necessary if the other driver has no insurance. Burlington's police know what to do and will make sure to record the information you need.
3. Gather Evidence: Take pictures of the damage, the scene, and whatever else you feel is important. Write down notes about how the accident occurred while it's fresh in your mind. Get contact information from any witnesses too. 
4. Communicate with Your Insurance Company: Let them know what happened. If you have UM/UIM coverage, this is where it'll come into play.
5. Reach Out to Us: Trying to deal with insurance companies while recovering from an accident is exhausting. Let us handle the hard stuff so you can focus on getting better. 

Why These Claims Can Be So Complicated

Uninsured driver accidents come with their own set of headaches. You’re not just dealing with the crash itself—you’re also trying to figure out how to get compensated. Common challenges include: 

• Claim Delays: Insurance companies don’t like paying out UM/UIM claims. They’ll dig through every detail to try and stall the process.
• Coverage Disputes: Ever been told, "Sorry, that's not covered"? It's frustrating and happens way too often. 
• Financial Burden: From medical bills to car repairs to lost wages, costs can add up quickly. And just waiting for a claim to go through makes matters worse.
• Emotional Exhaustion: Let's be honest, putting on a brave face through this all while recovering from an accident takes a lot. You need rest. 

When you're facing these circumstances, having someone in your corner who understands truly can make all the difference.

How We Can Assist

You have choices, and we are here to explain them to you. Based on your circumstances, this is what we may suggest:

• Filing a UM/UIM Claim: If the other driver doesn't have enough (or any) coverage, your own insurance will cover your losses. It's not always smooth sailing, but that's where we come in. We'll push back on lowball offers and make sure your policy works for you.
• Litigation: In some cases, it is worthwhile to file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. This can get tricky if they are financially insolvent, so we will consider your case with you. 
• Making It Easy for You: We take on the heavy lifting - evidence gathering and negotiations with the insurance company, so you don't have to.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we have assisted numerous clients in Burlington in working their way through such trying times. 

Why Burlington Adds Unique Challenges

As in all cities, Burlington has its idiosyncrasies. The accidents seem to occur on the more populated streets of Shelburne Road or in the park near Battery Park. This sometimes makes it difficult to obtain physical evidence when evidence is needed, as it gets icy during wintertime.

We know Burlington. We know its roads, its traffic patterns, and the unique challenges residents face. That local knowledge gives us an edge in building a strong case for our client. 

Let us take it from here

We understand that dealing with an uninsured driver accident is quite a never-ending uphill battle. But you don't have to go through this alone. At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ll take care of all the little details for you. Contact us today to determine the best path forward.