Drunk Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance

Answer:

One of the sad things about collisions with drunk drivers is you’ll find out that they often— particularly chronic drinkers— don’t actually have auto insurance. They cause a collision, they don’t have any money, they don’t have any auto insurance, but you have been damaged and you’re suffering injuries from this collision with the drunk driver. What are you going to do?

There are two potential options available to you in these situations. The straightforward one is one you could’ve done a long time ago to take care of yourself and that’s to get uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is insurance that you buy on your own car that protects you if an uninsured person causes damage to you. It’s relatively cheap, and we encourage you to buy as much as you can reasonably afford. It’s really important coverage, but it’s an optional coverage so you don’t have to have it. You need to reach out to your insurance agent in person. We’re happy to talk to you about it, if you want to call us and talk about it.

The other option is the potential dram shop claim against somebody who served the drunk and sent them out on the road obviously intoxicated. If that dram shop claim exists, whether that’s against a bar or a social host (i.e., somebody who has served them at their house), you need to put that bar or social host on notice within 180 days. Getting a lawyer involved early in any case involving a drunk driver is a very important thing for somebody injured in a collision with a drunk driver in Idaho.

Call us. We’re happy to talk to you about uninsured motorist coverage, about an uninsured motorist coverage claim, or about your dram shop or potential dram shop case. We’re at the other end of the phone.