Gainesville follows a state law that requires all car owners to carry insurance on their vehicle. Unfortunately, as many as 12% of drivers ignore this law—meaning that roughly 1 in 10 car accidents will involve a driver who carries no insurance.
Thousands more drivers carry the bare minimum, which is seldom enough to cover injuries in serious car accidents. The victims of these accidents then find themselves facing tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills or more.
If you’ve been in an accident like this, you do not have to face it alone. The law still guarantees you a right to a full financial recovery, and a good Gainesville uninsured motorist accident attorney can help.
John Foy & Associates has over 20 years of experience helping the victims of car accidents. We understand both in-court and out-of-court options for recovering the money you need for medical bills, car repairs and other costs, even if the other driver has no insurance.
Don’t get stuck with the bill for someone else’s mistake. Contact us and get a free consultation with our experienced lawyers. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
What Costs does Gainesville Allow Me to Recover from an Uninsured Driver?
In the City of Gainesville, victims can recover 100% of your costs or damages related to an accident, whether or not the other driver carries insurance. The damages we see most often in these cases include:
- Doctor visits and medical bills
- Prescription drugs
- Occupational therapy and rehabilitation
- Car repairs
- Any work time you missed because of the accident
Many accident victims can also receive sizable cash awards for physical pain, serious injuries and other losses. We don’t believe this money will ever make up for the injury you suffered, but we have seen firsthand how it helps families stay afloat financially after suffering a debilitating injury. You are entitled to this money whether the other party is insured or not.
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What Should I Do If the Other Driver Is Not Insured?
You should treat all car accidents the same, no matter the status of the other driver. Remember that you have the same rights under the law even if they failed to buy insurance. Take what steps you can to be your own best advocate and strengthen your claim:
- Always call the police. Uninsured drivers typically say they don’t want to get law enforcement involved. They may promise to pay for the damages on their own. But most uninsured drivers are uninsured because they don’t have much money, and those promises will be quickly forgotten. Call the police and get an accident report.
- Be calm. Many uninsured drivers will react with blame or anger after an accident. Don’t let them rattle you, and don’t accept blame for something you didn’t cause. Do your best to be the calm one in the situation.
- Take pictures of the accident. Even simple cell phone photos showing the car damage, your injuries, and the overall accident scene can become good evidence later.
- Talk to witnesses. Did anyone see the accident? Talk to them and ask what they saw. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Go to a doctor. Don’t convince yourself an injury is minor. If there is pain, discomfort, or any outward sign of an injury, get it looked at. The diagnosis will help make your claim clearer and many injuries become more serious if left untreated.
The most important step you can take is to talk to a car accident lawyer about what happened. Only a professional can give you an informed opinion on whether you have a claim and how to deal with the insurance company.
How Can I Get the Money If the Other Driver is Uninsured?
It depends on the circumstances of your case. Gainesville requires all car owners to meet minimum insurance requirements, such as:
- At least $25,000 in bodily injury insurance (per victim it the accident)
- At least $50,000 in bodily injury insurance (total, for all victims)
- At least $25,000 in property insurance
But this is a bare bones policy, and $25,000-$50,000 may not be enough to cover the damages. That means that even cases with insurance often involve collecting additional money that isn’t covered. The local courts already have mechanisms in place to help accident victims get the money they need. A good lawyer will know how to enforce your rights, and can use methods including:
- Investigating possible claims against other insurance policies
- Making use of uninsured/underinsured motorist protection on your own insurance policy
- Asking the courts to order the other driver to pay the costs themselves
- If needed, placing a lien on the other driver’s property until they pay you
No matter what, you should not be left paying for someone else’s mistake.
How Soon do I Have to File My Claim in Gainesville?
The courts follow a complicated schedule of deadlines set by state and federal law. In many car accidents, you have up to two years from the date of the accident to make a claim. But this isn’t always true. There are circumstances where the window is much shorter, even just a matter of weeks.
If you miss the deadline you lose your right to the money you would otherwise receive. That’s why we urge all car accident victims to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Speak to a Gainesville Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer for Free
John Foy & Associates was founded with only one mission—to help the victims of injuries and accidents. For over 20 years we have devoted our practice exclusively to helping victims, never siding with insurance companies or the guilty party.
Let us help you with your claim. We’ll sit down with you for a free, in-depth consultation with some of the best car accident lawyers in the state.
Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
