If you live with injuries after your accident with an uninsured motorist, a lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help. We understand what it takes to hold the negligent Albany driver accountable. Let us advise you on all of your options.
How Our Team Can Help You After Your Accident
Dealing with uninsured or underinsured drivers can be frustrating. Thankfully, it does not guarantee that you will be unable to seek compensation for your injuries. A lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you pursue recovery.
We are ready to pursue every legal option available to you to seek the compensation you deserve. This could involve seeking out damages from drivers with and without insurance.
We are prepared to:
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- Look over your coverages to determine your options
- Argue your case in court, if necessary
- Visit the accident scene
- Gather evidence that supports your case
- Interview eyewitnesses
- Assign a value to your case
For a free legal consultation with a uninsured motorist accidents lawyer serving Albany, call (404) 888-8888
New York Auto Insurance Requirements
New York law requires drivers to maintain some form of financial responsibility in the event of an accident. This financial responsibility is provided for most drivers through liability insurance coverage. In Georgia, state law mandates a minimum level of auto insurance coverage for every driver.
These minimum limits include:
- $25,000 for personal injury per person
- $50,000 for personal injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
When a driver causes an accident, this coverage will protect them from third-party claims from any individuals they might have injured.
Albany Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Not Every Driver Has Basic Insurance, Despite the Law
Most drivers involved in an accident in Albany expect to pull over their vehicle, contact the police, and exchange insurance information with the other driver. Liability insurance is mandatory under state law. However, the unfortunate reality is that many drivers fail to carry the necessary coverage.
Some motorists allow their coverage to expire knowingly or through a mistake. Others drive without ever obtaining a policy. In either situation, lack of insurance can dramatically impact an injured driver’s ability to recover compensation.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In addition to liability insurance, insurers in Georgia also offer a form of liability coverage known as uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage, or UIM, protects drivers from motorists that lack the necessary coverage. This type of policy allows a driver to file a claim when the responsible motorist lacks insurance coverage.
UIM coverage is not mandatory under state law. UIM coverage is ideal for collisions with uninsured motorists. However, only a person with a UIM policy has the option to pursue a claim.
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Holding the Uninsured Driver Accountable
If you are injured in an accident with an uninsured driver and do not have UIM coverage, all is not lost. You retain your ability to pursue a civil action against that driver like with any other injury claim.
This option is not perfect. Some drivers that lack liability insurance coverage do not have the assets needed to pay off a personal injury claim. However, even seeking some form of compensation for your losses can make a major difference following a serious crash.
Pursuing Damages
The judgment from a civil trial can take some time to result in compensation. In other cases, some defendants have a surprising amount of financial assets that they could use to satisfy your claim.
Given the lack of insurance coverage for the other driver, a legal claim against an uninsured driver may not settle. This means you might need to pursue a lawsuit and a verdict at trial. Our team will assist you in every step of the litigation process, from filing your case to bringing it to trial.
Damages you could recover would pertain to the following losses:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disfigurement
- Loss of limb
- Wrongful death losses
Proving Negligence
Pursuing a case against an uninsured motorist is similar to most types of vehicle accident claims. It requires demonstrating negligence on the part of the other driver. Negligence includes four important elements:
- A duty of care owed to the injured driver
- Breach of the duty
- A causal link between the breach and the driver’s injuries
- Proof of measurable losses
Building a negligence claim takes time and effort. It begins with a thorough investigation by the plaintiff and their legal counsel. This could involve reviewing the police report, tracking down witnesses, and evaluating medical records.
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Considering Hiring a Lawyer? Think About Our Firm
We have been helping injured Georgians for years. Our team has recovered many settlements and judgments for our clients. We have had the following said about our work ethic and commitment:
- “… [We] are in great hands. Very nice to us and concerned about my [fiance’s health m]entally and physically.” – Tracee T.
- “.. [They] help me with my case always Contacting me at all time letting me know of how my Case Status was .It was Very great to have them back on any Other Case I would have I will recommend them to my family and friends thank you so much for your services.” – Maria R.
- “The consultation and phone calls made me feel much better…” – Angela S
- “Every step of the way I was contacted on all the details of my case. I never had any questions that wasn’t answered on my case. I am very thankful for the professionalism that was displayed.” – Jarrod L.
Our Great Ratings Highlight Our Firm’s Experience
We have been honored with the following distinctions:
- Martindale Hubble AV Preeminent rating
- Superb AVVO ratings
- Awarded the AVVO Client Choice Award
One of our partners, Attorney Bader, is also in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (along with only 1% of American lawyers).
You Have a Limited Time to Take Action After an Uninsured Motorist Accident
In Georgia, you have up to two years to file a personal injury claim, according to the O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. For this reason, we recommend getting started with your claim as soon as possible after your accident.
If other parties were involved in your accident, you could have even less time to take action. For instance, if an uninsured motorist and a city bus rear-ended you, you could file against the city. O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5 limits these lawsuits to only six months.
Uninsured Driver Statistics
Despite nearly universal requirements across the country, there is a large number of motorists that drive without insurance coverage. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), roughly 13 percent of drivers lacked insurance coverage in 2019. Too many drivers do not carry the insurance necessary to protect other motorists from the cost of an accident.
You may also be dealing with an underinsured driver. They might carry low amounts of coverage that may not cover the cost of the accident. While Georgia has a minimum level of coverage required for drivers, these lower coverage policies may be inadequate in providing enough compensation to pay for your losses.
Seek Compensation From an Uninsured Driver
While the lack of liability insurance for the other driver is problematic, it does not guarantee that you will not be able to seek the compensation to which you may be entitled. Depending on the specifics of your own auto insurance, you might have a viable UIM claim.
Call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers to Secure Justice for Your Losses
If insurance coverage is not an option, you could still pursue a lawsuit directly against the uninsured driver. A lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers understands how to handle cases following a collision with an uninsured motorist. To get started on your Albany claim, call (404) 888-8888 to speak with someone from our team.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form