Charlotte Uninsured Car Accident Lawyer

Getting hit by an uninsured driver feels like adding insult to injury. Not only are you dealing with painful injuries and vehicle damage, but you’re also facing the harsh reality that the person who caused your accident can’t pay for what they’ve done. While North Carolina law requires every driver to carry insurance, thousands still operate vehicles without it. When these irresponsible drivers cause accidents, innocent victims are left wondering how they’ll recover financially. The good news is you have more options than you might think.

If you suffered injuries or losses from a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, the Charlotte car accident lawyers at Stewart Law Offices can help. With over 30 years of experience and millions of dollars recovered for our clients, we understand how to deal with these challenging claims and fight for maximum compensation from all available sources.

North Carolina Auto Insurance Requirements

North Carolina doesn’t take auto insurance lightly. State law mandates that every driver maintain continuous liability coverage before getting behind the wheel. According to North Carolina General Statute § 20-279.21, operating a registered vehicle without proper insurance violates state law.

The state established minimum coverage requirements to ensure accident victims can recover damages (as of 2025):

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per person
• $100,000 for bodily injury liability per accident (two or more people)
• $50,000 for property damage per accident

North Carolina also mandates uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, matching your policy’s bodily injury liability limits. This protects you when an at-fault driver has no insurance (UM) or insufficient coverage (UIM), providing a critical safety net despite the state’s insurance requirements.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in North Carolina

North Carolina strictly enforces insurance requirements. Insurance carriers must notify the NC Division of Motor Vehicles when liability insurance on a vehicle is canceled or lapses due to non-payment. If the DMV receives notification that a driver lacks adequate coverage, it sends a termination notice to the vehicle’s registered owner.

Failure to maintain proper auto insurance results in significant penalties:

• First insurance lapse: $50 fee
• Second insurance lapse: $100 fee
• Subsequent lapses: $150 fee
• $50 restoration fee at vehicle registration renewal
• Possible license plate revocation
• Late fees and interest payments
• In severe cases, jail time for multiple offenses

Despite these serious consequences, the Insurance Information Institute reports that roughly 6.5% of North Carolina drivers, or thousands of motorists, continue operating vehicles without proper coverage. That means in any given accident, there’s a real chance you’re dealing with an uninsured driver.

How Uninsured Car Accidents Differ from Insured Car Accidents

In a typical car accident case where the at-fault driver has insurance, you pursue compensation through the other driver’s liability policy. Your lawyer negotiates with that insurer based on evidence of fault and damages.

With an uninsured driver, there is no liability policy to tap directly, which means:

• You may need to pursue your own insurance coverage, such as uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
• You may have to prove fault directly to your insurer to trigger UM benefits.
• Your legal strategy must shift from dealing with a third-party insurer to negotiating with your own insurance company or considering a personal lawsuit.

In other words, the absence of insurance complicates the claims process and often leads to disputes about fault and coverage.

Can You File a Claim Against an Uninsured/Underinsured Driver?

Yes, you have several options for pursuing compensation after an accident with an uninsured driver. The first is filing a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage, which compensates for injuries and losses when the at‑fault driver lacks insurance. You may also file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident, though collecting payment can be difficult if the driver has limited resources. 

Why Your Own Insurance Company Might Fight Your Uninsured Motorist Claim

Don’t assume your insurance company will treat you fairly just because you’ve been a loyal policyholder. Insurance carriers prioritize their financial bottom line, even when handling your uninsured motorist (UM) claim. Expect them to meticulously examine every detail, seeking reasons to deny your coverage or significantly lower your settlement.

Tactics Insurance Adjusters Use to Undermine Your Claim:

• Shifting Fault (Contributory Negligence): Insurance adjusters will try to pin some of the blame for the accident on you. North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule means that if you are found even 1% at fault, you lose your right to recover any compensation. Adjusters are aware of this and may distort your statements, misrepresent accident details, or focus on facts that question the other driver’s sole responsibility.
• Minimizing Injuries: Adjusters often challenge the severity of your injuries. They may claim your injuries are exaggerated, attribute your pain to pre-existing conditions, or argue that the medical treatment you received was excessive or unnecessary. They frequently scrutinize your social media, employ investigators for surveillance, and use any inconsistency to justify a reduced settlement offer.

How a Charlotte Uninsured Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

At Stewart Law Offices, we will work to relieve your burden from the first time you call. Our North Carolina car accident lawyers understand what you’re going through and have the drive, resources, and decades of collective experience needed to take your case through to a successful resolution.

We can investigate your accident, determine all available insurance coverage, identify all liable parties, calculate the full value of your claim, including future damages, handle all communications with insurance companies, negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation, and take your case to trial if necessary to secure fair compensation.

You will have the full support of our compassionate team from beginning to end, and we will treat you like we would a member of our family. Our firm charges no fees unless we win money for you.

Visit Our Auto Injury Attorneys in Charlotte

Contact a Charlotte, NC Uninsured Car Accident Lawyer Today

Discovering the driver who hit you has no insurance shouldn’t prevent you from recovering compensation for your injuries and losses. With the right legal strategy and experienced attorneys on your side, you can still obtain the financial recovery you need to move forward.

At Stewart Law Offices, we’ve helped numerous victims of uninsured driver accidents secure the compensation they need and deserve. Call (704) 521-5000 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain all your legal options, and develop a strategy to maximize your recovery. 

Don’t let an uninsured driver’s irresponsibility leave you struggling financially. Contact us now to protect your rights.