Drivers in Georgia are required by law to carry automobile liability insurance. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop some people from getting behind the wheel without the necessary insurance coverage.
If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a car accident in Atlanta caused by an uninsured driver, you may be unsure where to turn for help. An Atlanta uninsured motorist lawyer can help you understand your legal options for seeking compensation for your medical bills.
An Atlanta uninsured motorist accident lawyer at Bayuk Pratt can help you evaluate your legal options. Our legal team has extensive experience handling cases involving uninsured motorists. We’ve had success pursuing the fair compensation our clients need to move forward with their lives.
Our law firm has recovered over $300 million in settlements and verdicts for injury victims who turned to us for legal representation. If you are a car accident victim injured by someone else’s negligence, our law firm is ready to fight for your rights. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
What Are the Car Insurance Requirements in Georgia?
Georgia is an at-fault insurance state, which means the driver who causes a car crash is responsible for compensating the injured party. State minimum insurance requirements include:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
These are the legal minimum auto insurance requirements. When a driver carrying the minimum auto insurance coverage causes an accident, the medical bills and other losses may exceed the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits. If you have underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), you may file a claim against your own UIM policy for additional coverage.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is optional insurance coverage that you can purchase to protect yourself after an accident involving an uninsured driver. If you have this coverage, it may cover injuries caused by a driver who:
- Has no insurance
- Doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover your losses
- Leaves the scene of the accident
In Georgia, UM coverage pays for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
If you have UM coverage, your own insurance company steps in to provide compensation up to the policy limits. This means if an at-fault party has no auto insurance or the at-fault driver remains unidentified, you have another option for seeking compensation for your medical expenses.
Our Atlanta uninsured driver attorneys can help you explore your legal options for pursuing financial compensation.
What Can You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Georgia?
Hit-and-run accidents are common in Atlanta, particularly in busy areas such as Peachtree Street or along the Perimeter.
If you have been injured by a driver who fled the accident scene, you should take the following steps:
- Call 911: Police reports offer official documentation of the accident. Don’t avoid reporting the incident just because the liable party is no longer at the crash scene. An official police report will be essential if you need to file an uninsured motorist claim after a hit-and-run accident.
- Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of vehicle damage, accident debris, skid marks, traffic signs and signals, and any visible physical injuries. This will provide visual evidence to support your Atlanta car accident claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: You need to seek prompt medical treatment to have a doctor assess visible injuries and determine whether you have sustained head injuries or other internal injuries.
- Look for Witnesses or Cameras: If someone else saw the accident, collect their contact information. If there are any surveillance cameras or traffic cameras in the area that may have captured the accident, note their location.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Most insurance policies have deadlines for reporting accidents. Notify your auto insurance provider promptly, but only offer the basic facts (time, place, vehicles involved). Provide the name of the other driver’s insurance company if available.
- Call a Lawyer: An experienced car accident attorney can help you pursue the compensation you need and avoid missteps along the way. Contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
What Does ‘Stacking’ of Uninsured Motorist Coverage Mean?
Georgia allows for “stacking” of UM coverage, which can significantly increase the compensation in a car accident claim. If you have multiple vehicles insured under separate policies, and potentially on the same policy, you may be able to combine, or “stack,” the UM limits from each policy to cover your losses.
Not every policy allows stacking, and combining coverage can be a complex process. An Atlanta uninsured motorist accident lawyer can review your policies and determine whether stacking applies in your car accident case.
What Damages Can You Seek in an Uninsured Motorist Accident Claim?
Whether you were hit by an uninsured driver or involved in a hit-and-run, you may be entitled to claim compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Motor vehicle accidents can result in severe injuries and significant damage, making the compensation sought substantial. If you have to file a claim against your own UM or UIM insurance coverage, you should expect the insurance company to try to pay out as little as possible. It’s essential to have experienced car wreck attorneys who understand how to pursue maximum compensation and advocate for you.
How Can an Atlanta Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Help You?
Uninsured motorist cases offer challenges that can make them more complicated than standard car accident claims. Working with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Your attorney can help by:
- Reviewing Your Insurance Policies: Insurance policies are complicated and often confusing. Your attorney can review your policies to identify all possible sources of coverage, including stacking options.
- Gathering Evidence: The evidence you have is the foundation of your case. Your lawyer will obtain police reports, witnesses’ statements, surveillance footage if available, and medical records to build the strongest case possible.
- Handling All Communications: A seasoned lawyer knows all the tactics insurance companies employ and how to counter them. Yours will handle communications with the insurers and help you avoid critical errors.
- Negotiating and Litigating: When negotiating on your behalf, your attorney will advocate aggressively for a full and fair settlement. If the insurance company declines to offer a reasonable settlement, your attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit and demand that you receive fair compensation from those financially responsible.
Contact an Atlanta Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney
You don’t have to face the stress and uncertainty of pursuing an uninsured motorist claim on your own. The legal team at Bayuk Pratt offers compassion, skilled representation, and fierce advocacy to injured people who turn to us for help. A long list of enthusiastic testimonials from former clients speaks to the legal services we provide. Contact us today for your free consultation.