Athens Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Car insurance is a requirement in most states, including Georgia. Unfortunately, there are still many drivers who do not have it. In fact, according to research from 2019, approximately 12.4% of drivers in Georgia were uninsured.

This is why most auto insurance companies offer uninsured motorist coverage as part of their policies. If you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured motorist and you have uninsured motorist coverage, your policy will pay for the damages.

However, you can still recover damages from the uninsured motorist by hiring an uninsured motorist accident lawyer like Brady M. Larrison at Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys in Athens.

Athens, Georgia Car Insurance Requirements

All drivers in the state of Georgia are required to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance to ensure that they can be held liable for any damages or harm caused by them when on the road.

Drivers are required to carry at least liability insurance on their vehicles, which includes:

Bodily injury

This covers up to $25,000 per person, capped at $50,000 per accident. The insurer will cover all medical expenses for the injured parties up to the policy’s limits. If the other driver is unable to work, the policy will cover lost income and, if you are sued, the legal fees resulting from the judgment are covered. Drivers can obtain higher coverage, which varies by insurer.

Property damage

This covers up to $25,000 per accident. The most common claims from the other driver include repairs and the cost of a rental while their vehicle is being repaired. If the accident causes other property damage, it will be covered under this as well. Drivers can obtain higher coverage limits, which vary by insurer.

Why do Athens, GA drivers go without auto insurance?

Even with the minimum state auto insurance requirements, there are still many uninsured motorists in Georgia. There are several reasons that drivers commonly give for not having auto insurance, including:

• They believe the rates are too high
• They believe that they drive well enough to avoid accidents
• They don’t own their own vehicle
• They do not drive their own vehicle when they do drive
• They don’t know that the state requires car insurance
• They don’t believe that insurance covers that much

What if I am Involved in an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist?

Any time you are involved in an auto accident in the state of Georgia, there are certain things you must do:

Call 911 to tell them what happened and where.

Do not leave the scene. Remain until law enforcement arrives. If you leave the scene, even if you are not at fault, you could be held liable for a hit-and-run.

Check for injuries in your vehicle and the other one.

If you are not injured and able to communicate, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. You may discover at this point that the other driver is uninsured. Do not get into an argument or discussion with the other driver- simply make note of this and contact an uninsured motorist accident lawyer.

If there are eyewitnesses, talk to them and take note of what they saw. Many times, witnesses see the event completely differently than those who were involved in the accident. Take note of their statements and their information to provide to your uninsured motorist accident attorney.

Once law enforcement arrives, answer all questions honestly. Avoid panicking and don’t lie about the situation. However, you should never admit fault to the officer or give them more information than they ask for.

Finally, even if you don’t think you are injured, let the paramedics check you over. Many times, following an accident, victims are in shock and may not realize they are injured. A medical report can be helpful if you decide that you want to pursue an uninsured motorist lawsuit.

What Happens If the Other Driver is Uninsured?

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist in Athens, you can recover all of your costs, including:

• Medical bills
• Damages to property
• Medications
• Physical therapy/rehab
• Lost wages due to the accident and recovery

You may also be able to recover an award for pain and suffering, disability, and other significant losses. While this won’t change the fact that the accident occurred, it can help you and your family remain financially stable while you recover. Larrison Law Firm has helped many auto accident victims recover losses from accidents with uninsured motorists.

Can You Sue an Uninsured Motorist?

An Athens uninsured motorist accident lawyer can help you file a lawsuit with an uninsured motorist in Athens. Here’s what you need to do:

• File a police report as soon as the accident happens
• Obtain medical evaluation/assistance
• File a claim with your insurance provider
• Gather evidence
• Speak with an uninsured motorist accident attorney and let them handle the rest.

Many times, they will send an offer letter to settle the case out of court. If the other party refuses to settle, it may go to trial in order for you to recover damages.

How Our Firm Can Help With Your Uninsured Motorist Lawsuit

If you are involved in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist in Athens, let Brady K. Larrison help. He has been practicing law as a plaintiff’s attorney in Athens and the surrounding area for more than 12 years. He has the experience and expertise to help victims and their loved ones recover the compensation they deserve in auto accident and personal injury claims. Contact us at Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys for a consultation today.