What to do if you an uninsured driver hits you in Georgia

On Behalf of | Jan 22, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Getting into a car accident is every driver’s worst nightmare. The scenario becomes even more difficult, however, when the driver who hit you does not have any insurance or does not have an adequate level of coverage to help pay damages you incur.

There is no reason to lose hope if an uninsured motorist caused the accident that brought on your injuries. You do have options. Here is some more information about steps you can take if you suffered a car accident with an uninsured motorist in Georgia.

Georgia law regarding uninsured motorists

Georgia law has requirements that allow for drivers to carry only a minimum liability coverage. That means many drivers do not have adequate insurance for covering damages if they are negligent in an auto accident and the other driver makes claims against their insurance for damages. If you encounter one of these drivers in a car crash, the heavy burden of finding the money to pay costly medical bills for your injuries and lost wages, two of the most common financial damages that injured drivers face, may fall on you. What’s more, the Insurance Research Council said that uninsured motorists are on the rise nationwide. This is a disturbing trend that makes it even more likely that the negligent driver in your accident may not have the coverage necessary to provide for your expenses as a result of the crash.

What you can do

Although the situation may seem hopeless, the truth is that you do have options if you find yourself in this situation. For example, if you have an uninsured motorist or UIM policy, you may be able to have an attorney bring a claim against your own insurance policy to cover your damages. People sometimes avoid making claims on UIM policies because they fear their premium will go up, but Georgia law protects drivers who were not negligent in a crash by preventing their rates from going up as a result of filing a claim.

You should not have to deal with insurance companies on your own because it can be a difficult and complex task that you may not be able to properly handle. A skilled UIM accident lawyer can advise you of your rights and your options moving forward, to help you work to recover the damages you seek.