Let's say you got hit by a car while you were walking and it causes non-life threatenining injuries, and u didn't have car or health insurance of any kind.
would you stlil be able to sue and make some money or nah?
@gangreen just passed his bar exam. he would be the perfect person to ask.
Writing this on the train
It depends on what state u are in.
Most States have a traditional tort system and you can sue anyone in court for negligence when it comes to automobile accidents. You can get a big civil judgment if a jury or a judge find fault on the driver and may give you punitive damages and/or pain and suffering damages.
Some States, have something called a no fault insurance scheme when it comes to automobile accidents. For example if you are in New York, New York requires drivers who own New York registered vehicles to have no fault coverage under their automobile insurance policy at the time of an accident. No fault covers pedestrians, the drivers and passengers involved in an auto accident regardless of who is at fault.
There are exceptions to who are not covered for no fault insurance like drunk drivers and drag racers who cause accidents. They are not covered and can be sued in court.
If you are in New York, You may also be eligible for this coverage if you are a pedestrian hit by a vehicle. This coverage is designed to pay for your lost wages, medical bills and other medically-necessary expenses and it is your only remedy. If you are covered (for example you are an covered pedestrian hit by a covered driver), you can not sue in the court for negligence (who is at fault for the accident is irrelevant in no fault states) (i.e. no big pay day for pain and suffering or punative damages)
You can also bypass no fault insurance and sue in court in New York if you suffer a statutorily defined "severe" injury or The driver is not covered (e.g. Drunk driver or drag racer)
Sorry, Thats as much as I know, I basically only know New York law.
