What if the Other Driver Does Not Have Car Insurance?
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Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be devastating. Your life and the lives of your family members can be changed forever in just a few seconds. The negligent decisions of another driver can cause you great physical, emotional, and financial harm. When you are involved in a car accident in Georgia, who pays for your bills?
Who Pays My Bills in a Georgia Car Accident?
In most cases, if you are involved in a car accident caused by another driver, the other driver’s automobile insurance company should pay your bills if you are not negligent. The insurance company should reimburse you for your out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills, funeral expenses, property damage, lost wages, and travel expenses. You should also be compensated for your emotional suffering and physical pain. The insurance company for the other driver would like you to believe it has your best interests in mind when attempting to settle your claim. You must remember that the insurance company is an advocate for the other driver, their insured, and not you. If the insurance company resolves your case by paying the least possible amount, it has accomplished a major victory. As an injured party in a collision you need someone to be an advocate for you and tirelessly represent your best interests. Our office will aggressively fight against the insurance company to seek justice for you.
Georgia Drivers Without Insurance Coverage
Georgia drivers are required by law to carry minimum liability insurance coverage. You must have a minimum of $25,000 (one person) and $50,000 (two or more people) to cover bodily injuries to others if you cause an automobile collision. Property damage coverage must be $25,000 or more. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to carry any automobile insurance coverage. When an uninsured driver causes an accident, who pays the bills and expenses of the innocent injured parties?
If the driver has substantial assets, you may be able to collect damages directly from the at-fault driver but most people who drive without insurance do not have sufficient assets to cover your damages. Even though you may not be able to recover damages from the at-fault driver directly, you may still be able to receive compensation for your damages under uninsured motorist insurance coverage. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance company “stands in the shoes of” the other driver’s insurance company and will afford coverage for your expenses up to your policy limits.
Do I Need an Attorney if My Insurance Company is Paying My Bills for an Auto Accident?
It is always in your best interest to consult with a personal injury attorney regardless of whether you are dealing with the other driver’s insurance company or your own insurance company. Even though you pay your premiums each month for coverage, your insurance company is like all other companies — it does not want to pay any more than it must to settle your claim. An experienced attorney understands the tactics used by insurance companies to lower claim payments. Do not assume you will be treated fairly simply because this is your insurance company.
Experienced Georgia Car Accident Attorney
Let Council & Associates, LLC handle the legal issues while you focus on what is truly important — your recovery. Call (404) 526-8857 to schedule a free case evaluation.
