Being part of a car accident in Athens is already nerve-wracking, but finding out that the responsible driver is uninsured can easily turn the situation into one of the most difficult and unjust. As a result, the majority of victims who have been injured think that their chances to get compensation are not realistic anymore. However, a skilled Athens Car Accident Lawyer can explain that although the other driver does not have insurance, the law in Georgia still offers multiple legal avenues to get the injured party to recover financially for his or her harms and losses.
Nevertheless, the case of uninsured drivers being more prevalent than most people think is true. Even though there is a law in Georgia that requires every driver to have at least the minimum liability insurance, some do not comply with it, let their insurance lapse or deliberately drive without insurance. An uninsured driver who gets in an accident normally does not have the money to cover medical expenses, fix the vehicle, or compensate for lost income. This is the point where the comprehension of other means of compensation becomes very important.
The coverage for uninsured motorists, also known as UM coverage, is one of the main protection systems that injured drivers can count on. In case the driver at fault does not have liability insurance, this coverage will take over as it is part of your own auto insurance policy, and it is meant specifically for that purpose. Depending on the limit you have set on your policy, UM coverage can cover medical bills, loss of income, suffering, and sometimes even future medical treatment. A large number of the drivers do not have any idea that they are covered by this insurance or they do not fully understand how it works, and thus, they miss the opportunity to claim the compensation.
Insurance firms frequently complicate claims under uninsured motorists’ insurance more than it was anticipated. Although you are claiming from your own insurance company, they still behave as an adversary. Insurers might question the fault, lower the extent of your injuries or cite treatment as unnecessary or overly done. Adjusters may coerce you into agreeing to a fast settlement that does not take into consideration future medical needs or loss of earning capacity. In the absence of a lawyer’s help, it is easy to settle for a much lower amount than your claim actually is.
Sometimes, it is feasible to take up a personal injury lawsuit against the uninsured motorist directly. This choice is contingent on the driver having assets or an income that could pay for the judgment, but it should not be ruled out right away. In certain instances, legal measures can result in the garnishment of wages, placing of liens on properties, or setting up of payment plans. The possibility of total recovery may be low, however, this way may still be able to provide a little compensation and hold the other party accountable.
Umbrellas of recovery might be opened through the liability of third parties. In case, for instance, a company car was involved in the accident, an employer ignoring safety, maintenance of the road not done properly, or an automobile part with a defect, the other party could be part of the accident’s cause. The search for these extra sources of liability is based on full-scale inquiries into the circumstances leading to the accident. Police reports, testimonies of witnesses, recordings from traffic cameras, and forensic analysis of the accident can be utilized in different ways to reveal these chances.
Another important aspect to consider is time. The state of Georgia sets a certain period within which car accident claims may be filed, and even claims under the uninsured motorist policy have to abide by certain requirements regarding the notice and deadlines set in the policy. Time intervals between incidents and claims may spoil the evidence, make the witnesses unavailable, and thus, allow the insurers to have more power to refuse or reduce the claims.
Being struck by a driver without insurance can be very frustrating and can seem like there is no way out but still you are not without options. Georgia legislation acknowledges the injustice of such cases and grants the right of the injured victims to seek reimbursement through various legal channels. The critical point is to know the applicable alternatives to the case and the best way to use them.
The main thing is to know which ways are relevant to your particular case and how to make use of them in a proper way. A company such as R. Alan Cleveland, LLC is able to assess every existing source of compensation, manage tough insurance approaches and take the necessary steps to get you the financial assistance you require in order to proceed after a serious car wreck.
