The truth is, many drivers are traveling on Griffin roads despite not having car insurance. If you get in a car accident and find out the other driver doesn’t have insurance, it can make the moments after the accident especially devastating. What do you do if you’re hurt and the other party has no coverage to pay for your damages? Are you left without any assistance at all?
These might be just a few of the questions you face after an accident with an uninsured motorist. But not all hope is lost in this situation, and there are solutions. Working with a Griffin car accident lawyer can help.
At John Foy & Associates, we routinely work with victims of motorist accidents. If you’ve discovered the other driver is uninsured, or even underinsured, and you’re worried about how to cover your costs, we want to help.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation to discuss your situation and your options. For your free consultation, call 404-400-4000 or complete the form to your right to get started.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
Uninsured motorist insurance is a special type of insurance that helps cover costs (up to the maximum) even if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance. It’s also known as uninsured motorist coverage (UM) or underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). This insurance covers you when the at-fault driver:
- Has no insurance
- Has insurance, but not enough
- Hit you when you weren’t driving, such as if you were a pedestrian or riding a bike, and your regular car insurance doesn’t apply
- Fled the scene of the accident or can’t be found for some other reason
We urge all of our clients to purchase additional UM coverage with their auto insurance. Thankfully, many drivers have this insurance already and may not even know it. In the state of Georgia, car insurance companies are legally required to offer you UM coverage when you sign up for car insurance—so unless you checked a box denying the coverage when you purchased insurance, there’s a good chance you do have it.
An uninsured motorist accident lawyer can help you determine whether or not you have the necessary coverage in your situation.
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How do I Know If the Person Who Hit Me Has Insurance?
If the person who hit you is still at the scene after the accident, you should exchange names, phone numbers, and insurance information. This is where the at-fault driver should tell you if they don’t have insurance. Unfortunately, an uninsured driver may try to avoid giving you any information at all.
The uninsured driver could flee the scene, leaving you with a hit and run, or may try to pursue you to settle the matter without calling police or insurance. Most uninsured drivers don’t have insurance because they can’t or don’t want to pay for it—which means you’re even less likely to get money from them for your damages. Stand firm, and insist that you call police and exchange information.
If the driver fled after the accident so you can’t get information from them, try to catch as many details as you can: their license plate number, the make, model, and color of their car, and any identifying features of them or their vehicle. Call police immediately and tell them everything you remember. They may be able to use the information to assist in tracking down the driver.
What If the Other Driver Has Insurance, But It’s Not Enough?
Uninsured motorist coverage also applies if the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages. Anyone who owns a vehicle in Griffin is legally required to meet these minimums for auto insurance:
- Bodily injury insurance of at least $25,000 per victim
- Bodily injury insurance of at least $50,000 total
- Property insurance of at least $25,000
If the at-fault driver has the minimum coverage and your accident is minor, this may be able to cover your costs. However, it likely won’t even come close if the car accident was major.
If your UM coverage and the at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t cover all the costs, the at-fault driver is still liable. If they can’t pay for your damages out of pocket, you can pursue legal action through the local courts against them for the money. This may mean you get the money in a number of ways, including:
- Other insurance policies that cover the accident
- As a payment plan over time
- Through garnished wages
- Lien (keeping possession of property belonging to the at-fault driver, such as real estate, until their debt is paid)
These options result in a slower payout, which has its disadvantages as far as covering your immediate costs, but it’s still a way to get the money you deserve for the injuries and other damages you suffered. Since they are more complicated, you’ll definitely want to work with an attorney who can help you investigate and problem-solve the best options for your situation.
Talk to a Griffin Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer for Free
You might feel your heart drop in disappointment after an accident with an uninsured motorist, but there are still ways to pursue full financial recovery so you can have more peace of mind and focus on physical and emotional recovery.
At John Foy & Associates, we work tirelessly for our clients to get them what they need to move on. Dealing with an accident that wasn’t your fault and an uninsured or underinsured driver is the last thing any of us want to deal with – so don’t struggle alone. Let us help you work towards the financial resolution that you deserve.
For a FREE consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help you, contact us today. Call 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right for your free consultation.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
