If you get into a car accident in Georgia, it is not uncommon for that driver to be uninsured. In fact, around 18% of drivers in the state are uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That’s nearly 1 in 8 vehicles on the road with no coverage! If you’re unlucky enough to get into an accident with one of them, you could be left high and dry.
Why is this such a big deal? Car crashes are expensive. Medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages from missing work – it all adds up fast. The whole point of the other driver having insurance is so their carrier will pay for your damages. But if they’re uninsured, you can’t make a claim with their nonexistent insurer.
So what do you do? Are you simply out of luck? Not necessarily! However, recovering compensation after an uninsured motorist accident is tricky. It’s certainly not as straightforward as dealing with an insured driver. But with an experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer in your corner, you can still get the money you deserve.
The Uninsured Motorist Dilemma
Uninsured drivers are a huge liability risk because of their lack of accountability. All drivers in Georgia are legally required to carry auto insurance. It’s the responsible thing to do. Insurance guarantees that if a driver causes a car wreck, money will be available to pay for the victim’s losses.
But some people simply ignore the law. Maybe they can’t afford premiums, are driving on a suspended license, or just don’t care. Whatever the reason, when they get behind the wheel without coverage and cause a crash, it creates a massive problem for the victim.
Think about it – how do you hold an uninsured driver financially accountable? You could file a lawsuit against them personally. However, most uninsured motorists don’t have many assets. That’s often why they don’t have insurance in the first place! So even if you win in court, they likely won’t have money to pay the judgment.
This puts victims in an incredibly difficult position. You have every right to compensation for your damages. But without a realistic way to collect, it can seem hopeless.
However, there are a few potential options for recovering money.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Georgia
The most crucial step happens before a crash ever occurs: buying uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is an optional type of car insurance that you can add to your own policy. It protects you in case an uninsured or hit-and-run driver hits you.
Here’s how it works. Let’s say you have $50,000 in UM/UIM coverage. You get into a wreck caused by an uninsured motorist, and your total damages are $40,000. You would file a claim with your own insurance company, and they would pay you $40,000 under your UM/UIM plan.
While this might seem simple, it is far from easy. Insurers look for any excuse not to pay claims—even your own insurance company. They may lowball you, delay the process, or argue that your damages aren’t covered. It’s frustrating and stressful, especially when you’re already dealing with injuries. You’ll likely need to hire an Atlanta motor accident lawyer and negotiate aggressively. But at least with UM/UIM coverage, there’s money on the table.
Sadly, UM/UIM is not mandatory in Georgia. You have to choose to add it to your policy. That means many people don’t have it. An estimated 34% of Georgia drivers lack UM/UIM coverage!
Why Hire an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer After an Uninsured Motorist Accident?
Regardless of whether you have UM/UIM or not, your next step after an uninsured motorist crash should be consulting an Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney. A skilled motor accident lawyer can analyze your case, lay out your options, and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
If you have UM/UIM, a car accident attorney can pressure your insurer to pay up. They have more leverage than you in negotiations. Insurance companies will take your claim more seriously when you have professional representation.
And if you don’t have UM/UIM? A motorcycle accident lawyer can explore other potential avenues for recovering money. For example:
- They can dig deep into the at-fault driver’s assets and finances, looking for anything collectible. The driver might have more assets than first believed.
- They can investigate alternative insurance sources. Was the driver borrowing someone else’s car? That car owner’s policy may kick in.
- They can identify other parties who may share liability, like vehicle manufacturers, mechanics, bars that overserved a drunk driver, etc.
Rooting out compensation in these cases is like detective work. It takes skill, experience, and perseverance. Most injury victims simply don’t have the knowledge or energy to handle it alone, so hiring professional help is usually necessary.
Contact Our Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
An uninsured motorist accident in Atlanta can upend your life. Suddenly, you’re facing a mountain of expenses and a total lack of accountability from the at-fault driver. It’s an enraging, desperate feeling.
But don’t give up hope. You may still have options for recovering the compensation you deserve. Uninsured motorist cases can take time to resolve. But with persistence and an experienced Atlanta motor accident lawyer on your side, you can vastly improve your odds of a successful outcome.
Call Kim Law today or fill out our confidential contact form. There are no upfront costs and no out-of-pocket expenses when you hire us. You only pay us if we win. The consultation is also free.
Pick up the phone, just call 404-JUST-WIN, and JUST WIN.
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