If you suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Georgia, and the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or enough insurance to cover your damages, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can provide protection.
If someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer injuries in a car accident in Georgia, an experienced personal injury lawyer at Bayuk Pratt can help you determine whether uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage applies in your case and explain how the coverage could help you seek full compensation.
What Are Georgia’s Laws Regarding Car Insurance Coverage?
In Georgia, the liability auto insurance requirements for all drivers include:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage.
Auto insurers must offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage of at least these minimum liability limits to all drivers. Drivers may choose to waive purchasing UM/UIM coverage in writing. However, without this coverage, you could lack vital protection after suffering injuries in a car accident.
What Is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage?
Uninsured motorist insurance coverage, or uninsured motorist insurance, is first-party insurance that provides compensation for your injuries and property damage if a driver without liability coverage causes an accident. It allows you to file an auto insurance claim with your insurance provider. You may also file a UM claim if a hit-and-run driver causes your crash and injuries.
Different Types of Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Georgia
The two types of uninsured motorist coverage available are:
- Add-On – This type of coverage adds your first-party insurance on top of the at-fault party’s third-party (liability) insurance.
- Reduced By – This type of coverage makes up for the difference between your first-party insurance and the at-fault party’s third-party insurance.
In uninsured motorist cases, these types of coverage are functionally the same because the at-fault party has no insurance. However, you should understand how these different types of uninsured motorist coverage protect you when you cannot turn to the other driver’s automobile liability policy.
What Is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage?
Underinsured motorist coverage is a type of first-party insurance that provides compensation when the at-fault party’s liability insurance coverage doesn’t cover all of your expenses. If the at-fault driver has the minimum required amount of liability insurance, you may face significant medical expenses without such coverage.
Different Types of Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Georgia
The types of underinsured motorist coverage available in Georgia are the same as for uninsured motorist coverage:
- Add-On – This policy adds your coverage on top of the at-fault driver’s coverage, providing you with additional compensation if you need it.
- Reduced By – This policy makes up for the difference between the at-fault driver’s coverage and your first-party coverage.
While add-on policies provide more coverage, they are also more expensive. It’s crucial to balance the coverage you need with the coverage you can afford.
How Much UM/UIM Coverage Do You Need?
Georgia law requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage of at least:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage.
These minimum coverage limits are the same ones required in a motor vehicle liability policy. If you buy higher levels of liability insurance, your UM/UIM coverage should increase accordingly.
How Much Does UM/UIM Coverage Cost?
The cost of UM/UIM coverage depends on several factors, including your insurance provider, driving record, and the coverage level you select. However, Georgia drivers typically pay around $300 per year for combined UM/UIM coverage. The price is relatively small compared to the significant bills you could face without this coverage.
What Is Meant by the Stacking of Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Georgia law outlines the process for stacking coverage. It allows a driver to get protection through several auto insurance policies, including their own policy, the vehicle owner’s policy, and the policies of other household members.
For example, if you are married, you may be covered by both your UM/UIM policy as well as your spouse’s UM/UIM policy if you suffer injuries in a crash caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
What Happens If You Don’t Have UM Coverage in Georgia?
If you don’t carry uninsured motorist coverage in Georgia, you will have a harder time recovering compensation following a crash with an uninsured motor vehicle driver or a driver who flees the scene. In crashes with uninsured drivers, you can still file a personal injury lawsuit to hold them personally liable for your damages. However, the compensation you could receive will depend on the driver’s assets.
What Is the Process for Filing a UM or UIM Coverage Claim?
The process for filing a UM or UIM coverage claim involves the following steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries.
- Report the accident to the police and get a copy of the crash report.
- Notify your insurance company to start the claims process.
- Consult an experienced car accident lawyer at Bayuk Pratt to learn about your rights and options for seeking full and fair compensation.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a UM or UIM Claim in Georgia?
Georgia law gives car accident victims two years from their injury date to file personal injury lawsuits. This deadline also affects uninsured motorist claims and underinsured motorist claims. Once you lose your right to sue, insurance companies lack any incentive to settle your claim. An experienced personal injury attorney at Bayuk Pratt can ensure you meet the filing deadline in your case and help you pursue full and fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other harm you have suffered.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
The battle-tested personal injury, wrongful death, and civil litigation lawyers of Bayuk Pratt have over 50 years of combined legal experience, insider knowledge as attorneys who worked for two of the world’s largest and most elite defense law firms, and a record of recovering over $300 million for deserving clients.
If you suffered injuries in a car crash caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver in Georgia, contact our team today to get started with a free consultation. We’ll review your case and help you understand what your options are for seeking the compensation you need after a car accident.
