Savannah Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

If you own a car in Savannah, you’re supposed to have insurance. That’s what the law says. But about 12 percent of vehicle owners statewide ignore their legal responsibility and drive around without coverage. That means that if you’re in an accident, there’s about a 1 in 9 chance that there won’t be any insurance money to pay for your injuries, and a much greater likelihood that there will be some insurance, but not enough to cover all your costs.

But this doesn’t mean you don’t have rights. You can still recover ALL of your costs and damages, but you need to see a Savannah uninsured motorist accident attorney right away.

John Foy & Associates knows how to deal with uninsured drivers. Over the past 20 plus years, our law firm has focused exclusively on the rights of people who have been injured, and we’ve racked up a long string of successes in getting money for our clients in uninsured motorist claims.

You should never have to pay for someone else’s decision to ignore the law. Let John Foy & Associates give you a free consultation to discuss your claim.

Call us at 912-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.

How Much Money Can I Recover from an Uninsured Motorist in Savannah?

Georgia’s auto accident laws make it a “fault state,” meaning that Georgia holds the person who caused an accident completely responsible for all injuries and damage. This rule applies no matter whether the driver at fault was fully insured or had no insurance at all. In the City of Savannah, you can recover 100 percent of your costs, but the exact amount you’ll receive will depend on the circumstances of your claim. In general, it’s likely you’ll be able to recover for:

• Medical expenses like hospitals, doctors, tests and surgery
• Prescription medicines
• Rehabilitation or physical therapy
• Body shops and other car repair costs
• Lost wages—money to make up from time you missed from work after the accident

If you suffered serious losses like a disability, severe pain or the death of a close family member, you may be able to recover even more. The courts understand the toll a devastating accident takes, and they know that money can’t ever truly compensate for what you’ve suffered. But money can relieve financial stress, and this allows you to continue treatment and begin to rebuild your life.

What Should I Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver?

Always focus first on your immediate medical needs, and make sure you summon emergency medical care for anyone else who needs it. If you can, it’s a good idea to take some steps at the scene of the accident that will help you make a strong claim later. Uninsured drivers often try to escape blame, so it’s important to be your own advocate.

• DO call the cops. Don’t let the other driver talk you out of it. It’s your responsibility under Georgia law to report any accident with injuries or significant property damage. The police report will show that you did your legal duty and will help support your claim.
• DO be calm, even if no one else is. Uninsured drivers are typically scared, and that may make them emotional, angry, or even prone to blaming you. Take it all in stride and keep your wits about you so you don’t say anything you’ll regret. Resist the urge to apologize or take the blame—statements you make at the scene can be turned against you later.
• DO take photos. Photographs provide graphic evidence of the accident scene, the damage to vehicles and your injuries. They can paint a much more clear and compelling picture than words alone.
• DO look for witnesses. There may be people standing around the accident scene. Find out if they saw what happened, or have information about the other driver’s behavior immediately before or after. Get their contact information.
• DON’T wait to see a doctor. We have seen far too many car accident victims that developed medical complications because they waited too long to see a doctor. Follow up with a doctor as soon as you can so you can get started on treatment. Getting diagnosed right away also helps you make a strong claim.

And always make an appointment with a personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able. Without a good lawyer on your side, it will be hard to recover money if the other driver doesn’t have insurance.

If There’s No Insurance, How Can I Recover Any Money?

Depending on your situation, there are several strategies we might use. When we talk about “uninsured” drivers, we also include “underinsured” drivers—those who only carry the minimum amount of insurance required in Savannah. These minimum amounts are:

• $25,000 bodily injury (per victim)
• $50,000 bodily injury (total)
• $25,000 property damage

When a driver doesn’t have adequate insurance, we ask the local courts to compensate the victims in other ways. Judges are used to these requests and are prepared to order the money paid though any number of methods, including these:

• A claim on your own insurance policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
• Other insurance policies that might also cover the accident
• A court order directing the other driver to pay you directly
• A lien on the other driver’s house, car or other property. The lien will remain until you get paid.

These strategies are more complicated than the usual insurance claim, so it is important to get a lawyer working on your case as soon as possible. An attorney can handle all the details, relieving you of as much stress as possible.

Talk to a Savannah Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer for Free

At John Foy & Associates, our goal is to get accident victims the legal help they need without asking you to take on any financial risk. We won’t charge you anything to come in and consult with us, and we won’t ask you to pay up front for our services.

If we don’t win money for you, you’ll pay nothing at all. Call us at 912-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.