If you were in an accident caused by an uninsured driver in Georgia and have uninsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy, you can file a claim with your insurance provider to cover your losses. Uninsured motorist claims are a crucial safety net for Georgia residents struck by drivers without insurance or hit-and-run drivers.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is a type of auto insurance policy that protects you if you get into an accident caused by a driver who lacks insurance coverage. Despite auto insurance being mandatory in Georgia, many people illegally drive without it.
In Georgia, auto insurance policies do not automatically include UM coverage. However, the state requires insurers to offer it. Buying this optional coverage can help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses after an accident that would otherwise leave you with few options for recovering compensation.
What Are the Types of Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
The two primary types of uninsured motorist coverage in Georgia are bodily injury and property damage coverage. Uninsured motorist insurance in Georgia includes both types of coverage, but the compensation you can receive for each depends on your policy.
Bodily injury coverage helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering you and your passengers experience due to accidents caused by uninsured drivers. Policies typically have limits on coverage per person and incident.
Property damage coverage helps pay for your lost or damaged property, most notably your vehicle. If your vehicle is very valuable, you may want to get a policy with additional property damage coverage.
What Are the Limits of Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
The maximum limits of your uninsured motorist coverage depend on your specific policy. You can purchase a policy that has higher limits, but that will result in your rates being higher, as well. When shopping for a UM policy, balancing the coverage you need with what you can afford is crucial.
Something to keep in mind is that there are mandatory minimum amounts of coverage. Uninsured motorist policies have the same minimum coverage requirements as regular auto insurance in Georgia:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per incident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per incident for property damage
While $25,000 may be enough to cover your property damage in many accidents, a severe accident can easily exceed the mandatory minimum coverage for bodily injury.
What Do I Do if I Was Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
If you find yourself in an accident with an uninsured driver in Georgia, the steps you should take are largely the same as if you were in an accident with an insured driver. After the accident, you should:
- Seek medical attention. Even if you think you feel fine right after the accident, you should still seek medical attention. You may have underlying injuries that will not show symptoms for hours or days after the accident. Seeking immediate and ongoing medical attention is crucial for establishing your claim.
- Report the accident. Reporting the accident to the police immediately is an essential part of any auto insurance claim. Whether you are filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider or with your insurance company in an uninsured motorist claim, you will likely need to provide a copy of the police report.
- Gather evidence. Before leaving the accident scene, you should collect as much evidence as possible to prove liability. Examples include the name and contact information of the other driver, the names and contact information of any witnesses, and photos of the accident scene, damage to the vehicles, and your visible injuries.
- Notify your insurance company. Contact your insurance company and inform them you wish to initiate an uninsured motorist claim. When filing your claim, your insurance provider may request a copy of the police report and supporting documentation related to your injuries.
- Consult a car accident lawyer. If you are facing challenges when filing your claim or need guidance, contact Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., to speak with one of our experienced car accident lawyers. Even when dealing with “your” insurance company in a UM claim, it’s important to remember that the insurance adjuster is looking out for the company’s profits, not your best interests. In contrast, our attorneys will stand up for your rights.
Will Uninsured Motorist Coverage Cover a Hit-and-Run?
Uninsured motorist coverage generally covers hit-and-run accidents where you do not know the identity of the at-fault driver. If you cannot figure out who the driver is, you have no way of filing a claim with their liability insurance provider or determining whether they have liability insurance coverage.
When filing a claim for a hit-and-run incident under your own uninsured motorist coverage, having a police report is important. Your uninsured motorist policy may have specific conditions that you must meet to file a claim for a hit-and-run, and providing a copy of the police report will likely be one of those conditions.
Can My Insurance Company Raise My Rates for Making an Uninsured Motorist Claim?
According to Georgia law, insurance companies cannot increase your rates due to an accident that was not your fault. That includes accidents that cause you to file an uninsured motorist claim. However, your insurance provider may attempt to deny your claim by arguing that you were at fault for the accident if you do not provide sufficient evidence that someone else caused the crash.
Why would your insurance provider deny your claim? Doesn’t your provider work for you since you pay them? No. Insurance companies aim to increase their profits by denying claims and reducing settlement payouts whenever possible. You should never assume that your insurance provider will look out for your best interest, which is why legal representation is vital.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
If an uninsured driver struck you or you were the victim of a hit-and-run crash, uninsured motorist coverage can prevent you from having to pay out-of-pocket for your losses. If you need assistance filing your claim or negotiating with your insurance provider, you need to reach out to Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. Our attorneys have a track record of success with UM claims, such as a $200,000 recovery for the victim of a T-bone accident that caused injuries requiring neck surgery.
Check out the testimonials our previous clients have left for us, such as the one from William Jacobs, who writes, “I was hurt in a car wreck in Douglasville. I contacted Ken and he was a tremendous help. My medical bills and health insurance liens were reduced by Ken’s hard work and I received a fair check as a result. I recommend Ken and his legal services if you need a lawyer for an accident.”
Are you ready to discuss your options for pursuing maximum benefits through a UM claim? Contact the Georgia car accident lawyers of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., now for a free consultation about your case.
