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. While liability insurance is mandatory under state law, 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 to begin with. In either situation, the lack of insurance coverage can have a dramatic impact on an injured driver’s ability to recover compensation.
If you are living with injuries after your accident, an Albany uninsured motorist accident lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help. We understand what it takes to hold the negligent driver accountable and can advise you on all of your options. To get started, call (404) 888-8888 to speak with a member of our team.
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 any insurance coverage in 2017. That works out to nearly one out of eight drivers that do not carry the insurance necessary to protect other motorists from the cost of an accident.
It is worth remembering that you may also be dealing with an underinsured driver. While an uninsured driver lacks any insurance at all, underinsured drivers carry low amounts of coverage that may not cover the cost of many vehicle accidents. 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 a driver’s losses.
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. An Albany uninsured motorist accident lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you pursue recovery from uninsured and underinsured drivers. We are ready to pursue every legal option available to you in an effort to seek the compensation you deserve. Call (404) 888-8888 for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a uninsured motorist accidents lawyer serving Albany, call (404) 888-8888
Albany Auto Insurance Requirements
Like most jurisdictions, state law requires Albany 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.
In addition to liability insurance, insurers in Georgia also offer a form of liability coverage known as uninsured motorist coverage as well. 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 motorist responsible for the crash lacks the insurance coverage to pay for your losses.
UIM coverage is not mandatory under state law. While UIM coverage is ideal for collisions with uninsured motorists, only a person with a UIM policy has the option to pursue a claim.
Albany Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
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 just 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.
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 could be used to satisfy your claim.
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.
Given the lack of insurance coverage for the other driver, a legal claim against an uninsured driver may not settle. This means you could 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.
In the state of Georgia, you have up to two years to file a personal injury claim, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §9-3-33. For this reason, we recommend getting started with your claim as soon as possible after your accident.
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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.
If insurance coverage is not an option, you could still pursue a lawsuit directly against the uninsured driver. An Albany uninsured motorist accident lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers understands how to handle cases following a collision with an uninsured driver. To get started on your claim, call (404) 888-8888 to speak with someone from our team.
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