Getting into a car accident is never fun.  Getting into a car accident with an uninsured driver is even worse.  While all states mandate that drivers carry some form of minimal car insurance, there are still many uninsured drivers on the roads everyday.  

Generally, your car insurance will cover you for damage that you cause to yourself or others.  If you sustain damage caused by someone else, their car insurance is required to pay for it.  However, if you're injured by a driver without car insurance, you may be forced to cover the damages yourself.

So what should you do to safeguard yourself if you're hit by a driver without auto insurance?  

First, let's take a step back.  The best way to protect yourself is before the accident happens by purchasing uninsured motorist (UM) insurance.  UM insurance is designed to protect you against any bodily injuries you may sustain from a traffic accident with a driver without car insurance.  In most states, UM insurance does not cover damage to your car.  However, if you have collision insurance, it will generally pay for damage to your car that is caused by an uninsured driver.  

If you do get into an accident, first, make sure that everyone is uninjured.  As soon as possible, use a mobile phone, if available, to call the police to notify them about the accident.  Once you've called the police, it's important to start exchanging information with the other drivers, including license plate numbers, driver's license numbers, insurance cards, and contact information.  If any of the other drivers offers you an expired insurance card or tells you that he or she does not have car insurance, it is very important that a police officer is involved at the scene of the accident.

Should the uninsured driver try to leave the scene, make sure that you get the license plate number of the car, as well as the make and model.  Take pictures if you have a camera available. In addition, determine if there are any witnesses available who can help to explain how the accident happened to the police.  

Unfortunately, in times of economic downturn, the number of drivers on the road without car insurance increases.  The Insurance Research Council has found a strong correlation between increased unemployment rates and increased numbers of uninsured drivers.  The Council has estimated that one of every ten drivers in the United States will not have car insurance if the economy does not improve by 2010.  Because of this, it's important to safeguard yourself with UM insurance, collision insurance, and by involving the police at the scene of any accident that does occur involving an uninsured driver.