It is against the law to drive without insurance in Georgia. Unfortunately, this is a common habit practiced by hundreds of negligent drivers in the state. Many drivers knowingly don’t purchase insurance, while others might not realize when their policies lapse. Either way, if you get hit by an uninsured driver in Georgia, the lack of insurance can complicate your financial recovery. Take the following steps to protect your legal rights.
Call the Police
Always call the police to report a car accident that involves an uninsured or underinsured driver. Georgia law requires you to report all car accidents that result in injuries, deaths or expensive property damage. Even if your collision was minor, however, you should report the crash to the police so that the uninsured driver can face legal consequences.
Don’t Admit Fault
Do not admit fault for your car accident. Even if you think that you were in the wrong, such as crossing the road when you didn’t have the right-of-way, don’t admit fault. Confessing any guilt for the accident could immediately strip you of your right to recover financial compensation. Instead, wait for an investigation of the collision to finish, as there may be factors at play that you are unaware of.
Take Pictures
Support your car accident insurance claim by collecting as much evidence of the other driver’s fault as possible. Before you leave the scene of the car crash, take photographs of the location of the wreck, any damaged vehicles and your injuries, if you can. Gather any other available evidence, as well, such as the names of eyewitnesses and a copy of your police report. Evidence can help you build a stronger insurance claim later.
Go to a Hospital
Your health and wellness come first after a car accident. Always visit a hospital after any type of vehicle collision to make sure that you aren’t injured. If you are diagnosed with an injury, follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter. An insurance company will want to see that you did what you could to mitigate your injuries.
Call Your Car Insurance Company
Once you’re ready to begin the claims process, call your own car insurance company to file a first-party claim. Georgia is a fault state, meaning that if the other driver is at fault for your car accident, his or her insurance should pay for your damages. If you find out that the other driver is uninsured, however, you may have no choice but to contact your own insurer instead. A few different types of first-party insurance may apply to your claim and payout benefits, such as:
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance
- Medical payment insurance
- Collision or comprehensive insurance
- Health insurance
Ask your insurance representative if you have any coverage from which you can get a payment. If you purchased uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, for example, your own insurer would pay for your losses if you’re hit by someone without insurance. If you don’t have the right type of car or health insurance coverage, you may still have other outlets to make a financial recovery, such as a lawsuit against a third party.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Georgia
A car accident can cause expensive vehicle damage and serious injuries that require medical care and time away from work. If you find out that the driver who hit you does not have insurance, contact an attorney in Atlanta immediately to help you recover compensation for these losses. Your financial future could be on the line.
An attorney can thoroughly investigate your car accident to search for other outlets for recovery, such as holding the driver’s employer vicariously liable for the crash. An attorney can help you find creative solutions and overcome challenges during your car accident case, including an uninsured or underinsured at-fault driver.