Understanding Georgia uninsured or underinsured motorists law can be challenging. Georgia law requires drivers to carry minimum amounts of liability auto insurance, which covers personal injury and property damage that you as a driver may cause in an accident.
Following an automobile accident, if you are injured due to the fault of another, your first option for recovery should be to turn to the other driver’s liability coverage. However, what happens if the at-fault driver has no auto insurance or lacks enough coverage to pay for all of your losses? Read on to discover why having uninsured motorist coverage in Georgia is important to protect you and your family.
Why You Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Insurance companies routinely fail to inform policy owners about the importance of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Adding this coverage to your current policy is cost-effective and in the long-run will assure that you and your family are protected should you be injured in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
In Georgia, roughly 12 percent of drivers are uninsured, and a much higher percentage only have the minimum coverage required under Georgia law. In many cases, this would not be enough to cover bodily injury or property damage, placing you responsible for the rest of your bills. You also would be deprived of your claim for loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, and the many other rights you would have for your pain and suffering.
Furthermore, in addition to covering an accident where an at-fault driver has no insurance, uninsured motorist coverage covers you and your family in the following events:
- A driver flees the scene in a hit and run
- If you are hit by an uninsured/underinsured driver while walking across the street as a pedestrian and sustain personal injuries or property damages, and
- A driver who has insurance but not enough to compensate all of those who have been injured
The policy should provide you, your spouse, and children coverage, as well as anyone who is using your insured vehicle with your implied consent. Uninsured motorist coverage will also cover any guests who are riding as a passenger in your insured vehicle. This allows you to enjoy the peace of mind that your entire family and those you care about are protected in the case of an automobile accident.
Unfortunately, many Americans are unaware that they even need this type of coverage. In many cases, insurance companies are not motivated to inform policy holders of it because it’s not a profit center for these businesses.
Contact an Atlanta Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
Immediately after an automobile accident, it’s important to seek legal help. An experienced and professional attorney can you help deal with all insurance companies involved in your case, including the at-fault driver’s liability insurer and your own uninsured motorist coverage provider.
The team at Ashenden & Hollingsworth, P.C., P.C, brings decades of experience to your individual case to help your through the entire legal process. If you have been involved in a car accident with an underinsured motorist, or one who has no insurance at all, you may still be able to collect all of the compensation the law allows.
Call 770-394-8909, or contact us online to discuss your legal options. Your initial consultation at Ashenden & Hollingsworth, P.C., is free.
