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Drivers in Austell are legally required to have auto insurance for their vehicles. Even though this is the law, many Georgia motorists still drive around without it. And when an uninsured driver causes an accident, it means they don’t have an insurance policy there to cover the injuries and other damages of those hurt in the accident.
It can be a hopeless feeling if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver. You might worry you’ll be left to handle your medical bills and repairs yourself. However, even when an accident is caused by an uninsured motorist, you can still recover for the FULL costs of your damages. To pursue money for these damages, you need an Austell uninsured motorist accident lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates, our attorneys have spent the last two decades helping victims injured in uninsured motorist accidents. We have a strong history of winning money for our clients in this situation, and we know how to win cases. Our lawyers are determined to hold responsible drivers who choose to get on the road without insurance coverage—and to prevent you from having to pay for it. For a FREE consultation to go over your case and look at your options with one of our lawyers, contact us today. Call 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to the right for your free consultation.
If the Other Driver Is Uninsured, Should I Still Call the Police?
Yes, without question. Under Georgia law, you must report an accident to police right away if anyone is injured, anyone is killed, or if property damage is more than $500. Besides pulling over to a safe location and getting any necessary immediate medical attention, calling the police is the first step you should take after an accident.
You might feel like you shouldn’t since it’s not uncommon for uninsured drivers to say they don’t want to involve local police. But call them anyway. This is to protect yourself. The police report officers will create for the accident will show you did what you were legally required to do and verify the accident occurred. Without a police report, you can no conclusive proof of the accident, and the uninsured driver could leave the scene without having to pay for the damage they’ve caused. And even if they have no insurance, there are ways a lawyer can help you seek financial recovery anyway—so you need a record of the accident actually happening.
Uninsured drivers are also notorious for blaming the car accident on someone else or trying to avoid responsibility for it. For this reason, you should also take steps to protect yourself from false blame and gather proof after an uninsured motorist accident. This includes taking steps like:
- Not accepting any blame. If the uninsured driver yells or tries to blame you for the accident, stay calm. You don’t need to apologize, explain yourself, or respond to their actions. Never accept blame for the accident, even if you’re trying to be polite. When police arrive, be ready to explain what happened before, during, and after the accident.
- Take pictures. Use your phone camera to take pictures of the scene, including vehicle damage, injuries to you and any passengers in your vehicle, and anything else you might think is important to the case. If the other driver starts acting aggressive, you might even try secretly filming their behavior as proof.
- Look for witnesses. Many times, there’s at least another person who saw some part of the accident happen. Talk to them, ask what they saw, and get their name and contact information.
- See a doctor. If you haven’t already by this point, see a doctor after the accident. Even if you feel your injuries are minor and don’t need treatment, they could worsen over time or be more severe than you realize. Plus, seeing a doctor will create a record of your injuries. You should also take pictures of your injuries over time, especially if they get worse in the hours, days, and months after the accident.
Lastly, but most importantly, contact an uninsured motorist accident lawyer as soon as you can. Without professional legal help, it’s almost impossible to seek financial recovery for damages from an accident where the other driver doesn’t have insurance.
How Much Insurance Are Motorists Required to Carry in Austell?
In Austell, car owners must carry and maintain insurance coverage of at least:
- $25,000 in bodily injury insurance per victim
- $50,000 in total bodily injury insurance
- $25,000 in property insurance
Keep in mind, these are minimum coverages. Damages from a serious car accident can be much more than these bare minimum amounts. Sometimes a driver will have car insurance, but it will be less than the minimum requirements. In this case, they’re considered an underinsured motorist, and the methods for collecting money are similar to those for an uninsured motorist.
Can I Still Get Money If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
Yes, but the methods for collecting that money are different than if you were in a motorist accident with an insured driver. Since the driver has no insurance policy to pull from to cover your damages, they can be ordered to pay the money through ways like:
- Your own car insurance policy’s Uninsured Motorist/Under-Insured Motorist (UM/UIM) All Georgia citizens are required to carry a minimum of this liability insurance, which pays for damages if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, doesn’t have enough insurance, or can’t be identified (such as in a hit-and-run). This insurance may help cover some of your damages
- A court order that requires the uninsured driver to pay your damages out of pocket
- Other insurance policies that could apply to the accident
- A lien placed on the uninsured or underinsured driver’s car, home, or other assets
Working with a lawyer can as possible after the accident can greatly increase your chances of recovery money from the uninsured driver. The process for recovering money in this situation can be complex, and there’s no better time to have legal help on your side
Talk to an Austell Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer for Free
Don’t assume you can’t seek financial recovery after an accident just because the other driver doesn’t have insurance coverage. An experienced lawyer knows how to pursue damages in other ways so you aren’t left dealing with your expenses alone. At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been working on these types of cases for 20+ years, and we’re here to help. For a FREE consultation to discuss your case and your options, call us today at 404-400-4000, or complete the form to the right.
