Have You Been Hit By An Uninsured Driver In Georgia? Here’s What To Do
Getting in a car accident can already be a traumatizing experience, but if you experience an uninsured driver collision in Georgia, you may be unclear about what you need to do next. Car accidents not only lead to damaged vehicles but can even result in medical expenses.
If the at-fault party was uninsured, your biggest concern is likely how you will pay for the damage incurred. Read on to learn what to do in the event you’ve been hit by an uninsured motorist in the state of Georgia and why hiring a skilled car accident lawyer is essential.
Who Is Considered an Uninsured Driver?
An uninsured driver is considered:
- An at-fault driver who has no auto insurance
- An at-fault driver who does not have insurance that meets the state-required minimum liability amount
- A driver whose insurance company has legally denied coverage under its policy
- A driver whose insurance company is unable to pay the claim because of being insolvent
- A hit-and-run driver
What to Do If You Were Hit By an Uninsured Driver in Georgia
If you were a victim of a car accident, ideally, the other driver will have insurance. You file a claim, provide the necessary information, and get compensated by their insurance company for damages incurred.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are instances where the at-fault party does not pay for damages from the car accident due to insufficient coverage, a lack of coverage or the insurance company has legally denied coverage or is insolvent.
As a result, the car accident victim is left to figure out what to do. This isn’t just overwhelming, it can lead to financial stress. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take if you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver in Georgia.
Document the Accident
The first thing that you want to do is thoroughly document the accident. Without adequate documentation, it will be difficult to get any type of compensation. Documenting the accident includes:
- Taking photos of the exterior and interior of all involved vehicles
- Taking photos of license plates, skid marks on the road, broken glass, and the surrounding area
- Gathering contact information of the at-fault party
- Gathering witness names and contact information
Ultimately, you want to collect as much information as possible that will be useful to your claim. This information will be needed to determine who was at fault and to maximize any form of compensation.
Notifying Your Insurance Provider
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and the at-fault party does not have coverage, you will need to put your own insurance provider on notice of an uninsured motorist claim. Our office does this by sending a letter via certified mail that meets all statutory and legal requirements. Notifying your insurance company will enable you to file a claim for the accident using your own policy. You should be able to do this assuming you have uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your policy.
UM/UIM coverage can make up the difference in damages if the at-fault party does not have adequate insurance or can cover all damages if the at-fault party does not have insurance at all.
Speak With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Georgia
It’s important to note that it may not be easy to get compensation for car accident damage. With that said, once you’ve examined your insurance policy to identify any relevant coverage, you should speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Georgia.
This is because insurance adjusters do not typically have the customer’s best interest in mind. The adjuster wants to decrease the amount of compensation they are required to pay for each claim. For victims, this can lead to a long and unsatisfactory process.
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer in Georgia is the best solution for those who have just been in an accident with an uninsured driver. In fact, a skilled lawyer can do the following:
Provide Protection
Dealing with an insurance company on your own can certainly be difficult. The goal for insurance adjusters isn’t to give you as much money as possible. They want to give you as little money as possible in order to satisfy the claim.
Without a lawyer, it can be difficult for you to fight to get the compensation you deserve for your car accident. But, a lawyer will stand between you and the insurance company as the adjuster attempts to push you to quickly settle your case.
Prevent You From Ruining Your Case
An inexperienced person may not understand what to say and not to say when they are dealing with a case. Unfortunately, saying the wrong thing can hurt your case and prevent rightful compensation. The insurance company can use your own words against you if your case has to go to court, but they cannot use what your attorney said against you. An experienced lawyer will guide you on what to say to prevent any words that can put your case at risk.
Avoid Low Settlement Offer
A lawyer will ensure that you are not settling too early, allowing you to maximize your compensation. Insurance companies are more likely to give you a low-ball offer.
Many victims will accept the offer without realizing they are settling for way less than what they deserve. An experienced lawyer can help you determine whether you are being offered fair compensation based on the accident and injuries sustained.
Hit By an Uninsured Driver in Georgia? Call an Experienced Lawyer
Dealing with a car accident is stressful enough. But, if the at-fault party isn’t paying for the damage, this can add to the stress. If you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver in Georgia, contact us today.
