What do I do if I’m in an accident with an uninsured motorist? If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, it is critical to seek medical care, call the police to report the accident, and then contact a Peachtree City car accident lawyer.
You have the right to pursue compensation against the driver who caused your injuries and losses, even if they do not have insurance. You may also seek a claim against your uninsured motorist policy. Here is what you need to know.
Laws on Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In recent years, insurance laws in the state of Georgia have improved to help motorists better protect themselves after an accident with an uninsured driver. The state does not require drivers to purchase and maintain uninsured motorist coverage, though. That is where this process can become confusing.
Your insurance company must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to you when you purchase coverage. You do not legally have to do so, but most people do. That means that you are buying a policy that protects you if someone else does not have the coverage they should have in place.
If you are unsure whether you have uninsured motorist coverage, contact your insurance agent and ask. Even better, let our uninsured motorist attorney go to work building your case for you and seeking out coverage options. This type of policy can be very important.
Speak with a Charlotte car accident lawyer and get a free consultation today.
Call (980) 294-4931Understand Laws on Insurance
Every driver in America should know that they should carry auto insurance. Though people in Georgia do not have to carry their own car insurance, they must have a policy that covers at least a certain amount of damage and injury to others in the event of an accident. Data from the Insurance Information Institute (Facts and Statistics) show that about 15.4% of drivers are fully uninsured.
You still have rights in these cases. Recovering for injuries suffered in an accident with an uninsured motorist may be more difficult. Still, an experienced Coweta County auto accident lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Even if the driver does not have insurance, they are still liable for your losses, and you can file a lawsuit against them. That is not always beneficial because their likelihood of having the financial means to meet that obligation is low. However, you have the right, and our uninsured motorist accident lawyer can help you seek legal action.
Use Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage to Cover Your Losses
It is always a good idea to carry uninsured motorist coverage if you can afford the premiums. Even if you do not have a policy that protects against uninsured motorists, an attorney can assist you in recovering your losses in court. An attorney can help you recover the following that result from an auto accident:
- Medical bills for emergency care, hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, other procedures, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and more.
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of both past and future wages
- Compensation for permanent disabilities, disfigurement, or other conditions
Whether or not you or the other driver has insurance, you should always consult with an attorney. We offer free consultations and do not receive any fees unless you recover.
Seeking a Lawsuit Against Those at Fault
It may be possible to file a lawsuit to hold the at-fault party accountable for the losses they created. Again, that can be hard to do in some situations, but it is your legal right to do so. That is where hiring an attorney can be very helpful. Your lawyer will:
- Investigate your case to find evidence supporting your claim about who is at fault. That may include going beyond the police report if there are any disputes.
- Determine all of your losses. Your lawyer will evaluate all types of losses applicable to your situation.
- File a lawsuit against the at-fault party in court, requiring them to respond or face a court-imposed judgment.
In situations where you believe the at-fault party has the means to pay for these losses, this can be the route to take. But that does not always work in situations where a driver lacks coverage due to financial limitations. For that reason, it may be best to seek other options as well.
Third Parties at Fault
There are situations where a third party could be at fault for your injuries and losses, opening the door to another avenue for seeking fair compensation. In these situations, it is up to you to seek evidence to identify these parties so you can pursue a claim. Here are a few examples that may give you some insight into those who could also be responsible for your losses:
- The owner of the car. If the car owner is not the driver, you may seek financial compensation from them. This is because they were negligent in entrusting the vehicle to someone without a license.
- The employer of the driver. If the driver was working at the time of the accident, the employer may be liable for the losses caused.
- The city or government. In some cases, the accident may result from the city’s poor maintenance of road conditions or from unsafe conditions.
Your lawyer will evaluate all of these and other strategies to determine who is at fault. Seeking these methods can be very important to building a strong recovery.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you have been the victim of an accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver, an auto accident attorney can help you get the recovery you deserve, whether or not your insurance covers uninsured motorists. You should always contact Shane Smith Law as soon as possible to discuss a possible case. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation.
