Updated on tuesday, november 20 2018 by erika sommer. Georgia being an atfault car insurance state, your primary means of recovering damages is typically from the atfault drivers insurance. Hurt by an uninsured driver car wreck attorney macon. In some cases, however, the other driver may not have any or enough car insurance, or in the case of a hitandrun accident, you.
Dec 19, 2019 nearly 215 million drivers carry car insurance in the u. With offices in macon and atlanta, we provide legal services to drivers involved in underinsured or uninsured driver accidents. It states that one or more individuals in your household may not operate the insured vehicle. Feb 27, 2020 if you drive your car and cause an accident, your car insurance will pay for the damages you cause, as defined in your policy. Your car has been knocked sideways by another car one that roared through that stop sign right before it hit you. You let an intoxicatedimpaired driver operate your vehicle. Unfortunately, there are thousands of drivers on the road today who carry no car insurance on their vehicles in part because of the cost of coverage.
If an uninsured driver needs to drive your vehicle, ask your insurance agent if you can add them as a driver. If your car insurance policy doesnt include uim coverage, your options are limited. Below, our car crash attorney responds to some of the most frequently asked questions on auto wrecks. Understanding georgia uninsured or underinsured motorists law can be difficult. The need for uninsured drivers car insurance coverage. What to do if an uninsured driver hits you quotewizard. Car accidents in atlanta can lead to serious injuries. There are three key choices that a consumer has to understand when buying coverage and they control what options. Feb 25, 2019 motoring lawyer jeanette miller looks at what happens if youre involved in an accident with an uninsured or untraceable driver. Car wrecks involving an uninsured, atfault driver may give the insurance adjuster an excuse to try to deny your claim.
Where two drivers jointly cause a collision and one has coverage and the other does not, the um policy applies to the uninsured driver from dollar one without set off and also applies to the negligence of the insured driver, subject to whatever set off there is. Because it is illegal to operate a vehicle without auto insurance in georgia, most people assume that in the event of an accident their expenses should be paid for. Many states bar uninsured drivers from making a claim. An experienced car wreck attorney who understands how to handle claims involving uninsured motorists can help injured victims. Hit by an uninsured motorist in georgia the champion firm. Heres what to do if someone who doesnt have car insurance hits your vehicle and damages it or injures you. If your insurance is terminated or expired, your carrier will electronically notify the georgia department of driver services dds. An accident with an uninsured driver can not only leave you with questions about how to get your injuries covered, but it may also raise concerns about how you will get your car fixed. Car insurance typically operates under a principle of. What to do if you were hit by an uninsured driver in georgia. If you have uninsured motorist coverage on your own insurance policy, this could be used to cover expenses. The injured begin their quest for compensation with the atfault drivers bodily injury. It can be confusing to understand who is covered to drive your vehicle. In nofault car insurance states, claimants dont have this same range of options.
Once you decide to purchase this important insurance, you will need to decide whether to purchase addon or reducedby coverage. Atlanta uninsured motorist accident injury lawyer sandy. Uninsured motorist coverage will require your insurance company to pay the expenses related to your georgia car accident, even if another driver was responsible for your injuries. Insurance is meant to protect you from being sued, or left financially stranded by a totaled car, or ruined by an uninsured driver. But when the driver isnt insured, it does not mean you dont get a financial recovery.
Parental liability when teenager causes car accident. If you have the misfortune of being involved in a crash, it can sometimes be a small comfort to know that car insurance coverage your own or the other drivers will probably kick in and help pay for medical treatment and vehicle damage. Uninsuredunderinsured motorist car accidents chattanooga. Frequently asked questions about car accidents mcarthur law. If your car accident was caused by an uninsured driver, your uninsured motorist um coverage will kick in, if you have it. Many states bar uninsured drivers from making a claim for noneconomic damages typically pain and suffering. When cars crash, serious injury often occurs internally and may not be obvious right away. Uninsuredunderinsured motorist car accidents proudly representing the chattanooga, nashville and nearby atlanta, ga areas for 30 years under tennessee law, licensed drivers in the state must carry current auto insurance that meets certain standards. A car accident instantly becomes more difficult if the driver who caused it does not have liability insurance. The question should be is she a safe driver and uninsured because she does not have a car to insure, or is she uninsured due to a poor driving history.
Uninsured motorist coverage also contains underinsured coverage for situations where you are in a car accident and the negligent driver had no coverage or in adequate coverage. If you have collision coverage, your insurer may cover the damage to your car as well. Reckless driving in georgia is a misdemeanor and results in. This is extremely common question, particularly in houston, texas because nearly of all drivers in the state of texas do not have valid car insurance coverage at the time of an accident. In fact, the car owners policy is the most common insurance policy to pay out when a driver crashes a borrowed car. Penalties for driving without insurance in georgia the balance. We have helped many of these victims receive compensation for their damages. Every driver in the state of georgia is required to carry minimal amounts of liability automobile insurance. The supreme court of georgia has ruled in favor of insurance companies in two cases involving how much people injured in car wrecks should get under uninsured motorists coverage. In fact, your rights are the same whether they were insured or not. You may loan your car to a friend, roommate, or family member, only to get a call that an accident has happened in your car.
This includes any uninsured motorist coverage he carries and the medical portions of his policy. This means that regardless of the driver, an insured vehicle will cover the driver as long as the policy does not expressly exclude a nonowner driver from coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage in georgia williams elleby. In this regard, georgia car accident injury claims are more straightforward. First party coverage collisionspecified perilscomprehensiveall perils always follows the vehicle insured. Attorney kathy mcarthur at our personal injury law firm has been assisting car accident victims throughout georgia and nationwide for 40 years.
Enterprise in 2011, it was decided that when drivers or passengers of rental vehiclesshortterm leased vehicles, less than one yearare involved in an accident, the rental car company is no longer responsible for any injuries caused by the negligence of the rental car driver 2. Even in a minor car wreck can result in longterm effects that lead to physical, emotional and financial strain. When another driver has an accident in your car dmv. We help clients throughout georgia, including albany, columbus and atlanta. The relative likelihood in comparison to the national average that a driver will get into an accident in atlanta is 39. Car wrecks involving an uninsured, continue reading about hurt in a car wreck by an uninsured driver. This fact has ramifications for you as the owner of the insured car. If you are injured in a vehicle accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you need to explore all your legal options. No insurance policy can cover you and your car in every circumstance. Normally, the atfault driver s liability insurance is responsible for bodily injury damages and property damage the policyholder caused to others. I was once in a car accident that wasnt my fault, which happened in a supermarket car park. When another driver has an accident in your car no one can predict the future.
Posted on wednesday, january 27, 2016 under car accident. When a teenage driver causes a car accident, their parents or legal guardians can be on the legal hook for injuries, vehicle damage, and other losses resulting from the crash. Here are a number of accident scenarios and what you can expect to happen. Georgia laws require drivers to carry auto insurance with liability coverage, but. Who is responsible in an accident involving a rental car. How does uninsured motorist coverage in georgia work. This requirement ensures that coverage will apply if there is an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage. Roswell uninsured car accident lawyer underinsured. In state of ga, a person drives his friends car and gets. You are given 30 days from the date of the expiration to provide proof of new insurance. Mar 14, 2019 first and foremost, if you are caught driving without current valid insurance in georgia, you will be charged with a misdemeanor, and it will remain on your record permanently.
May 02, 2017 underinsured motorist coverage in georgia. If you let an uninsured driver drive your car, and they get into a crash, you could be responsible for paying damages above and beyond what your insurance covers. Dont hide your teen driver from your insurance company. Jan 31, 2020 car wrecks involving an uninsured, atfault driver may give the insurance adjuster an excuse to try to deny your claim. As uninsured motorist accident attorneys, we see car wrecks every day. Around 10 states have taken steps to boost auto insurance with nopay, noplay laws restricting uninsured motorists from collecting damages in a car accident from an atfault insured driver. Many people choose to save themselves money and it is only after they are seriously injured in a car accident in atlanta that. Atlanta uninsured car accident lawyer the berry law group, llc. If your insurance company has any issues with the situation they will let you know. The minimum liability coverage you are required to carry in georgia is. Some states now limit the damages that an uninsured driver can recover following a car accident, even when they are not at fault. Unfortunately, car accidents are far too common in the city of atlanta. When you take out first party coverage it is for the described vehicle on that policy.
Some insurance policies come with a named driver exclusion. If you are the victim of a hit and run, your um coverage will cover you in place of the hit and run drivers liability insurance. Due to the inflated cost of auto insurance, there are many cars and other motor vehicles without liability insurance on our roadways today. Atlanta uninsured car accident lawyer the berry law. Depending on the insurer and situation, you may be covered if you give an uninsured driver permission to drive your car and they cause an accident. Why do you need uninsured motorist coverage in georgia. It can be even worse if the atfault driver is uninsured. However, depending on the state, this rate can be as high as 26. Because it is illegal to operate a vehicle without auto insurance in georgia, most people assume that in the event of an accident their expenses should be.
Uninsured motorist insurance is primarily governed through o. Our lawyers have 200 years of combined experience maximizing compensation for accident victims. Each state has different laws about uninsured motorist um and underinsured motorist uim coverage. As most insurance claims adjusters and some parentswill tell you, teenagers are in a special risk category all their own when it comes to driving. If your adult child, or anyone else for that matter, drives your car, the driver is covered by your auto insurance policy. Lack of an insurance policy to pay for injuries and damage to the other vehicles when an uninsured motorist causes an accident makes the situation more difficult. If you were hit by another driver and are now experiencing pain or other effects that you believe were caused by the accident, call the berry law group to speak with an experienced georgia car wreck lawyer.
Frequently asked questions about car accidents mcarthur. You allow an unlicensed driver to take your vehicle on the road. May 10, 2015 if your adult child, or anyone else for that matter, drives your car, the driver is covered by your auto insurance policy. Uninsured motorist coverage in georgia works by replacing the liability insurance of an uninsured atfault driver. Here is a look at several things you need to consider when you lend your car.
Mar 19, 2020 a call or a note to your carrier with information about the person borrowing your car should suffice in most cases. Georgia uninsured motorist insurance car accident law. It also may be used if the atfault driver has inadequate insurance coverage. Georgia law requires that all drivers carry automobile liability insurance to provide compensation for any injuries or damage they cause to others while behind the wheel. Penalties for driving without insurance in georgia. Atlanta georgia uninsured motorist coverage car accident.
What happens if youre in an accident with an uninsured. While this percentage is relatively small compared to other states the national average was 12. Macon ga personal injury attorney jarome gautreaux helps injured victims recover the compensation you deserve. Dec 04, 2018 a driver is guilty of aggressive driving in georgia when driving a vehicle with the intent to annoy, harass, molest, intimidate, injure, or obstruct another person not just another driver. To combat this issue, some states have instituted random insurance verification checks and no pay, no play lawswhich limits the ability of uninsured drivers to seek compensation. Understanding georgia uninsured motorist laws is a challenge even for most lawyers.
Underinsureduninsured motorist accidents mcarthur law. Here is what happens when a driver is excluded from an. Car wreck attorney macon georgia parked car accident. There are three key choices that a consumer has to. It is important to really understand your coverages and how car insurance works if another driver crashes your car. What is uninsuredunderinsured motorist coverage in georgia. Adding a teenage driver to your auto insurance policy can be expensive, but failing to do so could cost you money down the line if there is a dispute over coverage. If youre injured in a car accident in a nofault state, you must turn to your own car insurance coverage for the payment of medical bills and other outofpocket losses, regardless of who caused the accident. Does automobile insurance follow the car or the driver.
What happens if you get into a car accident without insurance. In many, drivers and passengers cannot get their damages paid because the other driver did not have insurance and they did not have uninsuredunderinsured motorist coverage on their policies. An uninsured driver is usually covered by your auto insurance while shes behind the wheel of your car because insurance follows the vehicle. How much coverage this policy offers, however, depends on its language. Serious car wrecks can inflict significant injuries and even permanent disabilities on involved parties, and when an uninsured driver is responsible, injured individuals could be forced to turn to their own insurance policy for compensation. There are millions of drivers on the road without insurance coverage. Your um coverage covers you and your family members if you are a passenger in another car during an accident, and the atfault driver is uninsured. Nov 20, 2018 what to do if youre hit by an uninsured driver. Your car is a wreck and youre trying to figure out if youre ok. Underinsureduninsured motorist um coverage in georgia. An atlanta car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you need after a serious injury.
What happens if you get hit by an uninsured driver in georgia. In essence, this type of coverage provides insurance that the negligent driver should have provided. Your liability coverage can pay for damages up to the limits of your policy. At first glance it might seem like superfluous coverage since georgia law requires all drivers to carry car insurance. Jan 27, 2016 hit by an uninsured driver in georgia. If you get into a car accident with an uninsured driver, the first and best place to turn for compensation for your injuries is the uninsured motorist um coverage of your own car insurance policy. The state with the highest rate of uninsured drivers is. Georgia uninsured or underinsured motorists law the poe law firm. A call or a note to your carrier with information about the person borrowing your car should suffice in most cases. In nofault states, each driver or his insurance is. We also represent savannah, augusta and warner robins residents in car accident claims. Can i keep my insurance from covering risky drivers who happen to live with me. Personal injury attorney macon ga gautreaux law llc. Lending your car to an uninsured driver can be problematic.
The atlanta drivers in this two car accident may need help from an atlanta um. As stated above, if a driver thats been excluded from your policy takes your car and causes an accident, you can be held liable. But a full coverage policy covers you in most of them. Getting injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver in atlanta. Mar 14, 2010 the short answer is if your car is involved in a motor vehicle collision your insurance may be on the line since you are allowing or giving her permission to drive your vehicle. Generally, as long as you gave the other driver permission to drive your vehicle, your insurance will pay out. What if the other driver doesnt have auto insurance. It would have done no good to sue the uninsured driver because that person had no assets. That means that every potential employer and maybe even overzealous potential date will be able to run a background check on you and discover that you tried to play fast. Does an insurance policy automatically covers everyone who lives in the owners household. Is an uninsured driver covered on my insurance while. Is an uninsured driver covered on my insurance while driving.
Optional coverage of this kind can limit or erase your out of pocket expenses for a car accident. According to allstates 2014 best driver report, atlanta is one of the most accidentprone cities in the united states. The current figure is probably even higher, since the survey was carried out in 2010. Anyone in an auto accident, especially one caused by an uninsured driver, knows how difficult it can be to recover for injuries and property damage. Be aware of what can happen if an uninsured driver has an accident while driving your car. The short answer is if your car is involved in a motor vehicle collision your insurance may be on the line since you are allowing or giving her permission to drive your vehicle. Many times car wrecks are the result of one partys negligence. If you live in a nofault car insurance state, filing a lawsuit may not be an option. Georgia requires car insurance so that there is a baseline level of coverage for every accident victim. Enterprise in 2011, it was decided that when drivers or passengers of rental vehiclesshortterm leased vehicles, less than one yearare involved in an accident, the rental car company is no longer responsible for any. As most insurance claims adjusters and some parentswill tell you, teenagers are in a special risk category all. Apr 19, 2020 does car insurance coverage cover the driver of the vehicle, or the vehicle itself.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of drivers on the road today who carry no car insurance on their vehicles in. What to do if hit by an uninsured driver in north carolina. At kaine law, we have worked with countless victims who have been hit injured by uninsured drivers. Uninsured drivers pose a serious threat to the nearly 7 million licensed motorists in georgia and everyone else who shares our roads. Jackson for a free consultation to discuss how uninsured drivers in georgia can file a car accident claim. In georgia, about one in nine accidents involve an uninsured motorist.
Every year car wrecks are one of the most common causes of serious injury and death in georgia. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, that coverage can be used as it will include property damages coverage. Uninsured motorist accident attorney singleton law firm llc. If your friend drives and crashes your car, you may assume that he and his car insurance will pay for damages. After car accident in georgia, the last thing you want to hear is that the other drivers insurance wont cover your costs or, worse yet, that they are not insured at all.
Dec 16, 2010 the supreme court of georgia has ruled in favor of insurance companies in two cases involving how much people injured in car wrecks should get under uninsured motorists coverage. Underinsureduninsured motorist accidents mcarthur law firm. Georgia requires that the owner of a motor vehicle carry liability insurance on his or her vehicle. Car accidents are bad enough, but an accident with an uninsured driver could be disastrous. To combat this issue, some states have instituted random insurance verification checks and no pay. Our firm actually speaks at lawyer education seminars on the subject. If you were in a wreck that involved an uninsured or underinsured motorist in georgia, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced car wreck attorney immediately. The drivers property damage coverage might carry over while driving anothers car as well, depending on the policy language, the respective limits of the two policies involved, and the facts. When they do, it is important to speak to a georgia car accident lawyer right away. Car accident with an uninsured driver in duluth georgia. How claims work for uninsured drivers in georgia law office of. In understanding what to do if you were hit by an uninsured driver in georgia, its important that our atlanta car accident lawyers first explain that like most states, we follow an atfault of crash liability.
When i approached the other driver for her insurance details i was devastated to hear she didnt have insurance. Car insurance for highrisk drivers in georgia the zebra. The reason is that car insurance follows the car, not the motorist. Car accident with an uninsured driver in duluth georgia brauns law. Should i purchase addon or reducedby uninsured motorist. Nearly 215 million drivers carry car insurance in the u. Should an uninsured driver be allowed to drive your car. Even though there have been many advances in car safety technology by automakers, car wrecks still happen. Apr 10, 2016 i was hit by a driver who does not have insurance what can i do. If an excluded individual drives the car and gets into an accident, the insurance company doesnt have to pay for the damage. A driver is guilty of aggressive driving in georgia when driving a vehicle with the intent to annoy, harass, molest, intimidate, injure, or obstruct another person not just another driver.
Do i need to purchase extra coverage for friends who plan to drive my vehicle. Atlanta law firm, kaine law car accidents by uninsured drivers. If you have been hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, or even the victim of a hit and run accident, it is important to seek legal representation. Georgia supreme court upholds insurers in 2 uninsured. Getting damages becomes more challenging if you were in a car accident with an uninsured driver in duluth georgia. What happens if youre in an accident with an uninsured driver. Unfortunately, 12 percent of car owners in georgia still go without insurance. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may have the option to file a lawsuit against the other driver, depending on whether you live in a nofault or traditional negligence state. Understanding georgia uninsured motorist insurance laws.
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