You never want to be in a car accident. Crashes mean medical bills, repair costs, and figuring out how to get from point A to point B when you don’t have access to your vehicle. Usually, Georgia law allows you to get compensation for your damages from the at-fault party’s insurance. If they don’t have insurance, though, your options are more limited.
With the help of an car accident lawyer in Doraville from John Foy & Associates, you still have the possibility of recovering compensation. We can help you understand what resources you have available and make sure your rights are represented. We can deal with the insurance company and the court if you decide to sue.
What to Do If You’re in an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
The first and most important thing to do when you’re in any car accident is to stay calm and make sure you’re alright. Call an ambulance if you have any injuries and ensure that you and everyone around you are out of danger.
Once you’ve done that, there are some steps that you should take to get all the information you need for any action you might take to get compensation. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, you should:
- Call the police. You’ll need an official accident report to recover compensation. This is especially important when you’re in an accident with an uninsured motorist. So, if you don’t get a report at the scene of the accident, contact the Doraville Police Eepartment or your nearest police station.
- Take pictures, including the other driver’s license plate, their VIN, your injuries, the damage done to your car, and the damage done to any other property at the scene.
- Get the other driver’s information, including their name, contact information, and the make and model of their car. You should also get the badge number of the officer who responds at the scene.
- Don’t take cash or sign anything. The other driver may try to pay for your damages on the spot, or your insurance company may try to give you compensation in the coming days. You should talk to a lawyer before you take any payment for your accident.
After your car accident, you may be confused as to what to do. If the other party has no insurance to get compensation from, how are you supposed to pay for the damages they caused? An uninsured motorist accident attorney in Doraville can help walk you through what you can do to get help with your recovery.
We offer free consultations to victims of car accidents, so you don’t have to pay anything to talk to a lawyer from our firm. Plus, we don’t charge anything up front, which means you don’t risk anything by hiring an attorney to help you get compensation.
Who Pays If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
That’s the million-dollar question – or, at least, the question that could get you enough money to pay for your damages. In most car accidents, the at-fault party’s insurance company pays out a settlement and both parties walk away without having to pay out of pocket. Obviously, that can’t happen if the other party doesn’t have insurance.
In some cases, your uninsured motorist (UM) insurance can pay for your damages. You aren’t required to have UM coverage, but if you do, it is meant to cover you in a situation just like this. If you do have UM insurance, you and your lawyer can negotiate with your insurance company and get maximum compensation to pay for the full scope of your damages.
If you don’t have UM coverage, you still have options. You could be able to get your own medical and auto insurance to pay for your damages. You’ll have to make a claim, though, and a lawyer can help make sure all your bills are documented so that you get the full extent of your coverage.
You could also go forward with a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. This isn’t always advisable, though, so you should consult with a lawyer to find out how you should proceed.
Can You Sue an Uninsured Driver in Georgia?
Yes, you can sue an uninsured driver in Georgia. In some cases, in fact, this is the only way to get compensation beyond your own insurance coverage. Most car accident claims don’t make it to a lawsuit – the insurance company settles before that happens. But if the driver is uninsured, your hand may be forced, and your claim will go to trial.
This can be unreliable, though. First of all, if the other driver can’t pay for insurance, chances are they don’t have enough money to pay for your damages. There are ways to structure recurring payments, but that means you won’t have compensation for your immediate expenses.
Lawsuits are also long, complicated, and potentially expensive. Your lawyer will have to file evidence and undergo legal proceedings that aren’t necessary when the insurance company settles.
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Talk to an Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney in Doraville Today
When you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be saddled with paying for the consequences, even if the other party doesn’t have insurance. Getting compensation when the at-fault driver is uninsured can be difficult, but the Doraville uninsured motorist lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help.
To get a FREE consultation with an attorney from our firm, call us or contact us online today. Someone from our team can assess your case and tell you what options you have.
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