Connecticut Car Accident Without Insurance Not at Fault [2025]

Car accidents can be terrifying to experience. In one moment, your entire life may be changed forever. If you were in a Connecticut car accident where you or the other driver was without insurance and you were not at fault, knowing the proper steps to take is key to protecting your legal rights.

The First Step Is to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

At Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, our attorneys use their 150 years of combined legal experience to represent Connecticut residents after they’ve suffered a car accident. Our five lawyers have recently secured:

• $1.1 million for a child’s family after they endured a head injury during a car and school bus accident at an intersection
• $140,000 for a man driving when hit by a driver without insurance (After collecting the available policy limit, our client didn’t feel fully compensated and opened a claim against his own insurance company.)
• $61,621 for a college student suffering a spinal cord injury after being rear-ended on Interstate 84

What to Do If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance

Like most of America, Connecticut residents rely on cars to get around. As of 2023, the average Connecticut household had two cars per home. If you are in a car accident and the driver who caused it doesn’t have insurance, there are still ways to pursue compensation.

Every car insurance policy in the state must include coverage for uninsured and underinsured drivers. An underinsured driver is someone whose insurance limits are lower than your uninsured coverage limits.

This coverage can pay for injuries, medical bills, or death if you are in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have insurance. While rare, this policy is often used when residents are involved in a hit-and-run.

If you make a claim, your insurance will pay up to the limits of your uninsured or underinsured coverage after any other insurance that applies has paid. The total you can recover can’t exceed your coverage limits. The state-mandated uninsured/underinsured coverage minimum is:

• $20,000 per person
• $40,000 per accident

What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident and You Don’t Have Insurance

Between 2022 and 2024, there were 306,396 crashes in Connecticut. If you are in a car accident in the state, don’t have insurance, and weren’t at fault for the incident, you may still face severe penalties.

Every driver in the state must have at least the minimum required auto insurance to legally drive. This includes liability coverage, which pays for injuries to other people and damage to their property. The minimum liability coverage is: 

• $20,000 per person
• $40,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $10,000 for property damage

If you drive without insurance, you can face serious penalties, such as:

• Fines of $100 to $1,000
• A Class D felony if the vehicle is a commercial vehicle (This can lead to fines of up to $5,000, jail for up to five years, or both.)
• The DMV suspending your driver’s license and vehicle registration

For a first offense, your driver’s license will be suspended for one month. For later offenses, it can be six months. You must show proof of insurance and pay a $175 restoration fee before your license and registration are returned.

If an uninsured vehicle with a suspended registration is spotted on the road, police can take the license plate and impound the car. You can only get your vehicle back by showing current registration and valid insurance.

Failing to maintain insurance is a Class C misdemeanor, which can carry a fine of up to $500, jail for up to three months, or both.

You must always carry proof of insurance in your vehicle, along with your registration. If you do not, you can be fined about $50, or $117 with fees.

FAQs

What Should I Do After a Car Accident to Protect My Legal Case?

After getting into a car accident, your health and safety are the main priorities. Call 911, and wait for law enforcement and paramedics to arrive. While waiting, get the contact and insurance information of the other driver. If they refuse, don’t argue. Wait for the police, as they can collect it for you. During this time, don’t apologize or admit any fault for the incident. If the other driver flees, take a photo of their license plate and car.

What Evidence Can Support My Car Accident Case in Connecticut?

Extensive and diverse evidence can support your car accident case. Take photos and videos of the crash site, any visible injuries, and damage to your vehicle and personal belongings. Get copies of the incident report and your medical records. Be sure to hire a car accident lawyer to get witness and expert testimony. Dashcam and traffic camera footage can further support your claim.

Is It Worth Pursuing a Legal Case Against Someone Without Car Insurance?

If you are in a Connecticut car accident and the other driver does not have insurance, it can be worth pursuing a legal case against them. You can hire a Connecticut car accident attorney to open a case against the uninsured driver for damages caused by their negligence. You can also seek compensation through your own insurance, including your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Connecticut car accident laws give you two years to file a case against the at-fault driver.

Does Your Insurance Go Up After a Car Accident, Even If It’s Not Your Fault?

In Connecticut, insurance companies are allowed to raise your rates after an accident, even if it wasn’t your fault. Some insurers may offer accident forgiveness programs for first-time accidents. Others may increase your premium, depending on factors like your driving history, the number of past claims, and how serious the accident was. To prevent rate increases, maintain a clean driving record and practice safe driving habits.

Contact Our Trusted Car Accident Attorneys in New Haven, Connecticut

The team at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, knows how complex car accident cases can be. When you should only have to focus on recovery, you must instead deal with insurance adjuster meetings and avoid saying the wrong thing. Having a lawyer to represent you can make the process much easier. Reach out to our New Haven office today to schedule your first appointment.