Many of our clients are involved in accidents with at-fault drivers who are either completely uninsured or carry only the minimum limits of liability insurance, a situation which has become all too common. In fact, according to a study by the Insurance Research Council, hundreds of thousands of drivers dropped their car insurance last year as the economic crisis worsened. Others simply reduced their coverage, opting for the lowest limits of liability coverage that complies with Georgia mandatory coverage law (currently $25,000). Most expect this problem to get worse before it gets better. Unfortunately, people who demonstrate such irresponsible behavior usually are irresponsible drivers and you may find yourself involved in an automobile accident with such a person. Where there is not enough insurance coverage and the other driver has no assets, you could be left paying for all of your expenses out of your own pocket, even though the wreck was not your fault.
It is therefore imperative that you protect yourself by making sure that you carry adequate uninsured/underinsured coverage on your own automobile policy. If you don't currently have such coverage, it can be added to your existing policy at any time. Then, if you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver your insurance company, in effect, provides coverage for the other driver and pays for the losses and damages you incurred as a result of the accident up to the available limits. Uninsured motorist coverage is extremely affordable and we recommend and encourage all of our clients to purchase as much as they can afford, and at least equal to the amount of liability coverage they carry in their policy.
If you have already been in a wreck with an uninsured/underinsured driver then it may be too late for you to take advantage of this advice. On the other hand, it may not. You should still consult an attorney who can search for other available insurance coverage. Maybe you have other insurance policies which can be stacked to provide additional benefits, or maybe a third party with insurance can be held liable such as the owner of the vehicle or the other driver's employer. If you have been injured on account of the negligence of an uninsured/underinsured driver, you should contact one of the attorneys at Burnside Wall LLP for a free initial consultation to make sure all avenues of recovery have been explored and pursued to the fullest extent of the law.
DISCLAIMER: Every automobile wreck presents a unique set of facts and circumstances. These suggestions, on the other hand, are very general in nature and may or may not be appropriate in your particular case. Therefore, these suggestions are not intended as legal advice for your case and should not be relied upon as such. For legal advice and a free initial consultation about your automobile wreck case, please contact one of the attorneys at Burnside Wall LLP.
To help us better understand your Personal Injury issue, please fill out our intake form.
