What Happens If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver in New Milford, CT?

Are You Covered If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?

If you’re involved in a car accident in New Milford, CT and the at-fault driver turns out to have no car insurance, you may wonder how your expenses will be paid. Connecticut law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but not everyone follows these rules. When this happens, your path to recovering costs may look different than in a typical accident.

What Immediate Steps Should You Take After an Uninsured Accident?

Even if the other driver has no insurance, take the same basic steps after the crash:

• Make sure everyone is safe and call 911 if anyone is injured.
• Notify local law enforcement and request a police report, which is essential for insurance claims and legal documentation.
• Gather contact and vehicle information from everyone involved, even if some refuse to show proof of insurance.
• If safe to do so, collect photos of all vehicles, the accident scene, and any visible injuries.

Local residents in New Milford should also be aware that reporting an uninsured motorist is not only critical for insurance purposes but helps authorities enforce state insurance laws.

How Does Your Own Insurance Help?

In Connecticut, all standard auto insurance policies include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This means your insurance may step in when the at-fault driver lacks insurance. UM/UIM covers:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages due to injury
• Pain and suffering and other related damages

Coverage limits are determined by your individual policy, so it’s helpful to review it ahead of time. Many area households choose higher-than-minimum coverage for this reason, especially during the colder, stormy months when accident risks rise on local rural and suburban roads.

What If Your Own Policy Doesn’t Seem Enough?

You can file a claim under your own UM/UIM coverage, but sometimes injury and damages exceed your policy limits—especially in cases of serious injury or multiple impacted family members. Here’s what’s commonly misunderstood:

• Some think "full coverage" means unlimited protection, but UM/UIM has specific maximums.
• Additional insurance options such as medical payments coverage or health insurance may supplement but often won’t cover all vehicle repairs or losses.

Local residents who share household vehicles should check if their policy covers injuries to passengers, family members, and even those biking or walking, as Connecticut’s laws sometimes extend to these situations.

Is Suing the At-Fault Driver Worthwhile?

Technically, you can take legal action against the uninsured driver, but success is limited by whether the individual actually has the resources to pay you. Many people driving without insurance do so because they can’t afford it—so collecting a judgment might be unrealistic. It’s a common misconception that winning a lawsuit automatically means you’ll receive the money; courts cannot force someone to pay if they truly lack assets or income.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself as a Local Driver?

Here are a few practical steps for New Milford residents:

• Regularly check and consider increasing your UM/UIM limits.



• Review your policy at least once a year or after any major life changes.
• Inquire about extra options such as rental reimbursement, especially since some area households rely on one vehicle for all transportation needs.
• Practice defensive driving, particularly on local two-lane roads, in school zones, and during New England’s inclement weather when risk of collisions rises.

How Long Do You Have to Make a Claim?

Connecticut law typically gives accident victims up to three years to file a lawsuit for injury claims. Insurance claims, however, should be filed as soon as possible—ideally within days or weeks—to avoid potential denials for late reporting. Keeping up-to-date documentation can also help if there are delays; for example, keeping a diary of symptoms, lost workdays, and expenses is useful for both insurance paperwork and potential court proceedings.

Are There Any Resources for Victims of Uninsured Driver Accidents?

State agencies provide some help:

• The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) keeps records of uninsured drivers and can issue penalties to repeat offenders.
• Local law enforcement is required to file accident reports on uninsured incidents, which may support enforcement and trending prevention efforts in the area.

While there is no state fund to compensate uninsured accident victims directly, Connecticut’s insurance requirements mean most local households do have access to at least some financial support through their own policy.

Common Misconceptions About Uninsured Driver Accidents

• You can never recover after an uninsured accident: Not true, thanks to UM/UIM coverage found on most standard policies in the city.
• Police “forgive” driving without insurance if it’s a first offense: Law enforcement can issue fines or impound a vehicle, regardless of circumstances.
• Insurance rates always go up if you make a UM claim: Not always—Connecticut regulations differ, and insurers may not penalize you when you’re not at fault.

Accidents with uninsured drivers can feel overwhelming, especially because they bring different challenges than more routine crashes. Knowing your own policy, understanding the legal resources available, and being proactive about documentation are the most effective ways to protect yourself and your household on local roads.