Albany Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

If you own a car in Albany, you’re supposed to have auto insurance—it’s Georgia state law. But as many as 12% of Georgia’s vehicles are uninsured. This means that if you’re in an accident, you have a 1 in 9 chance of finding out that the other driver doesn’t have an insurance policy to pay for your injuries and damage.

There’s an even greater chance that the other driver carries only minimal coverage that may not be nearly enough to pay your costs. If you have an accident with an uninsured or under-insured driver, you can still recover damages, but you will need help from an experienced Albany uninsured motorist accident lawyer.

John Foy & Associates has been handling uninsured motorist claims for more than 20 years. In that time, we have helped thousands of people recover the money they need to heal and put their lives back on track—even when the other driver didn’t have any insurance at all. You don’t have to pay the cost of someone else’s bad decision.

Let John Foy & Associates give you a free consultation to discuss your case and explain your rights. Call us at 229-232-8678 and get your free consultation today.

Our Albany car accident lawyer can review what happened and explain your possible next steps.

What Kinds of Costs Can I Recover from an Uninsured Motorist in Albany?

In automobile accidents, Georgia is known as a “fault state.” This means that the driver that caused the accident is responsible for all the injuries and damage. The rule applies regardless of whether the driver who’s at fault has insurance. An uninsured driver who causes an accident in Albany and Dougherty County remains liable for ALL your costs, and may also have to pay significant additional amounts as damages. These costs commonly include:

• Medical costs such as hospital and doctor bills
• Prescription drug costs
• Expenses for physical therapy and rehabilitation
• The cost to repair damage to your car, or replace a car that was totaled
• The pay you lost if you missed work because of the accident

If you are seriously injured, you may be entitled to additional money for pain and suffering, long-term disabilities or the loss of a loved one. This money will never erase the accident or give you back your health.

But car accidents cause financial stress along with physical injuries. The money can pay your medical bills and give you financial stability, helping you concentrate on recovery.

What Should Do If to I’m in an Accident With an Uninsured Driver in Albany?

Always get emergency medical attention for anyone who needs it, including yourself. If your injuries are not serious, there are things you can do to protect yourself and create a record of what happened. An uninsured driver probably won’t want to accept blame for the accident, so it’s important to advocate for yourself. We suggest these steps:

• Call the police. An uninsured driver will probably try to talk you out of calling law enforcement. Don’t let them convince you. Under Georgia law, you are required to report an accident to the police if someone is injured or there is significant damage. A police report can be a critical piece of evidence in your claim.
• Don’t lose your temper. Uninsured drivers can get angry and emotional, but do your best to stay calm and collected. When you lose your temper, you may say things that can be used against you later. Likewise, never apologize or accept blame for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
• Talk to people at the scene. Bystanders or people who stopped to help may have seen what happened. Find out what they saw, and get names and contact information for anyone with helpful information.
• Go to the doctor. You may have “walked away” from the accident, but that doesn’t mean you weren’t hurt. Many car accident injuries take time to fully develop, and the longer you wait to get diagnosed and treated, the longer your recovery is likely to be. Going to the doctor right away also helps you present a strong claim.

Finally, talk to a lawyer as soon as you can. Uninsured motorist claims are more complicated than an ordinary case where everybody has insurance. Most people have a hard time getting money without a lawyer’s help.

If the Other Driver didn’t Have Insurance, How Will I Get Any Money?

There are several ways to recover money in an uninsured motorist case, and the exact strategy will depend on the circumstances of your case. Car owners in Albany are supposed to carry at least the minimum level of car insurance:

• At least $25,000 bodily injury insurance, per victim
• A total of at least $50,000 in bodily injury insurance
• Property insurance of at least $25,000

It’s easy to see that these minimum amounts aren’t nearly enough to cover the costs of a serious accident. When the driver who’s at fault doesn’t have enough insurance to pay for everything, the local courts have other ways to ensure financial recovery for accident victims. A good lawyer will seek to get the money paid in another way, for example:

• Through the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in your own insurance policy
• Through other insurance policies that may cover the accident
• By asking the judge to order the driver to pay you directly
• By placing a lien on the other driver’s house, car or other assets until you are paid

To increase your chance of getting a complete financial recovery, it is important to get advice from a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. If you are injured, you already have enough to worry about. Let a lawyer take care of the legal details while you focus on getting the treatment you need.

Talk to an Albany Insured Motorist Accident Lawyer for Free

If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you don’t have to bear the cost yourself. The lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help you get the money you need and deserve. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and explain your options.

And if you decide to hire us, we won’t charge you a cent unless we are able to win money for you. Call us at 229-232-8678 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.