Anyone who owns a vehicle in McDonough is legally required to carry auto insurance. Sadly, not everyone is respectful of that law—and about 12% of Georgia drivers are on the roads without insurance. Others have insurance but are “underinsured,” which means their policy doesn’t cover the minimum amount required by law.
If you or a loved one is in an accident with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured, you might worry about who will pay for your damages. But don’t worry: as a car accident victim, you still have a right to recover for all your costs. To find out all your options, you need to speak with a McDonough uninsured motorist accident lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates, we have 20+ years of experience helping victims of uninsured motorist accidents get the financial recovery needed to cover their costs. Just because a driver chose to get on the road without proper insurance coverage doesn’t mean they aren’t responsible for your injuries and other damages. Let us help.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation to look at your case and discuss your options. Call 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to your right for your free consultation.
I Was in an Accident in Augusta and the Other Driver Had No Insurance. What Should I Do?
In any type of accident, the most important factor is your safety. If you need emergency medical attention, get it right away. Otherwise, the more information you can gather after an accident with an uninsured driver, the better. The fact that they don’t have insurance coverage doesn’t mean you can’t recover for damages, but it does mean you’ll have to be your own advocate until you get a lawyer on board.
Here are some things you should do after an accident with an uninsured driver:
Report the Accident to the Police
If there are injuries and/or property damage, Georgia law states you must report any auto accident to the police. Call 911 and report the accident—even if the other driver doesn’t want to.
Uninsured drivers will often want to work out the accident between just the two of you or use some other tactic to avoid calling the police. They know that if the accident is reported, they’ll get in trouble for not having insurance coverage. But this is where you must remain firm and call the police anyway. A report of the accident on file is crucial for your insurance claim.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Get their name and ask to see their driver’s license and insurance information. If they’re underinsured, they might still have policy information to give you. This information is important for your lawyer to use later in your case.
Take Pictures
Use your phone to take pictures of your injuries, any vehicle damage, and the whole accident scene. If the other driver is acting suspiciously or even aggressive, you might try to get a video of their behavior. Get as much visual documentation as you can of the accident scene.
Talk to Witnesses
If anyone saw the accident happen, talk to them about what they witnessed. Get their name and contact information. Your lawyer will likely contact them later, as their statement can be vital to your claim.
Do Not Apologize Or Admit Fault
Uninsured drivers can sometimes be emotionally volatile at the accident scene, especially if they tried to prevent you from calling the police. They might even try to blame you completely for the accident to avoid fault. But whatever they do, be the better person and remain calm.
Do not apologize for any part of the accident or let them place blame on you. Wait for police arrive, then give them a true account of what happened.
See a Doctor
Even if you have minor injuries or feel fine, see a doctor after your accident. You could have injuries that haven’t fully manifested yet, such as whiplash, and you want ALL medical and other costs from the accident accounted for in your claim.
Speak with a Lawyer
Even when the driver is uninsured, you still have a right to recover the FULL cost of your damages. But you’ll need an experienced uninsured motorist accident lawyer on your side. They will understand your options for seeking recovery when the other driver doesn’t have sufficient coverage.
Get the strong arm
What Sorts of Damages Could I Recover from an Uninsured Motorist?
You are entitled to recover for the same costs as any other accident victim. Those include:
- Medical costs from doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Lost wages from time taken off work due to the accident
- Car repairs or replacements
- Pain and suffering damages
How Can I Recover Money If the Other Driver doesn’t Have Insurance?
The way you can recover money depends on whether the driver has any insurance at all. Under Georgia’s insurance laws, all drivers must carry a minimum of:
- $25,000 or more bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 or more bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 or more property damage liability
Note that these are minimum amounts. Most accidents can easily cost more than this. Medical bills can be extremely high for car accident injuries, and if your car is totaled, the minimum property damage insurance might not cover all your costs either.
Thankfully, most Georgia drivers have what’s called uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, which will pay towards your accident if the other driver cannot. Your auto insurance company must offer this type of coverage to you, but it is optional to accept. However, you must uncheck a box when signing up for your insurance policy, so if you didn’t do this, you likely have this coverage. Call your insurance company to find out for sure.
If you do not have uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage or it doesn’t fully cover your damages, there are a number of other ways the law helps you recover costs:
- Other insurance policies the driver holds may cover some of your costs
- Another party who was involved in the accident might have auto insurance that applies
- The other driver could be ordered to pay out-of-pocket for your costs
- If the other driver can’t pay out-of-pocket, you could have their wages garnished, sell assets, or have a lien placed on property
Talk to a McDonough Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer in for Free
You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of medical costs, vehicle repairs, and other damages because another driver chose to drive without proper insurance coverage. At John Foy & Associates, our attorneys can help you seek financial recovery after your accident—even if the other driver is not covered. For a FREE consultation to talk about your options and how we can help, contact us today.
Call 404-400-4000, or complete the form to your right to get started.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form