Suffering injuries in a car accident can lead to immense physical, emotional, and financial distress. The financial impact is almost certainly significant, as the cost of treating a moderately severe injury sometimes exceeds the level of insurance coverage required by many states.
To deal with the fact that many drivers do not have enough insurance to pay the full scope of costs associated with the accidents they cause, some drivers choose to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance as a supplement. Unfortunately, filing a claim through one of these policies is an arduous process that often results in victims recovering less than the amount they need to pay their accident-related expenses.
Recover the Financial Compensation You Need
Suppose someone is hit by a driver with too little insurance to pay for the damage they caused. In that case, an uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance policy will pay out claims that cover the remaining damages that have not been paid for. Without such a policy, they would be left on the hook for damages that exceed the coverage offered by the at-fault party’s liability insurance.
Although you may think an insurance policy is meant to pay out exactly what is needed, this is not always the case when you need it. Insurance adjusters push to keep their profits as high as possible by offering minimal settlements to their customers. So, expect them to try to settle for less than the amount you are actually attempting to recover from them.
Conyers uninsured motorist accident lawyers should be aware of the games the insurance companies play. With help from an experienced attorney, plaintiffs stand to acquire a settlement that actually suits their overall losses. Without one, they may be left to settle for less than what they deserve.
Get the strong arm
Georgia Insurance Requirements
In Georgia, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. They can face legal penalties if they do not have the proper amount of coverage. Still, many people drive without adequate insurance coverage in place.
In Georgia, the insurance requirements are:
- $25,000 for individual injuries per accident
- $50,000 for the total injuries per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
Someone who does not carry this minimum amount of insurance is breaking the law. Worse than that is the fact that, when they cause accidents, there will not be any protection in place to pay for the damages. This leaves people on the hook for their own expenses unless they have an uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance policy.
How Uninsured Motorist Insurance Works
An uninsured motorist policy works by providing the insured driver with coverage that protects them from the financial losses associated with accidents that were caused by drivers who do not have any insurance. It would be ideal for these people to pay you using an insurance policy, but if they do not have insurance, you would have to sue them directly. Unfortunately, people who do not have insurance are unlikely to have the money needed to pay for the damage they caused.
When accidents with uninsured motorists happen, you need to prove that you were not at fault in the accident. If you were at fault, you may instead be liable for their damages and your own damages. To pay for these damages, you would need to have your own liability, comprehensive, or collision coverage in place.
If you were not at fault and you have uninsured motorist coverage, the policy will pay your damages up to the policy’s coverage limit. Be mindful of your policy’s limits. It is generally impossible to get paid out more than this amount.
This means that your total costs may still not be covered even with uninsured motorist insurance. Though your total damages are sometimes covered, the insurance adjusters refuse to pay. That is when you need a Conyers uninsured motorist accident lawyer to step in.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Uninsured Motorist Claims
There is often a negotiation process involved with collecting on a claim made with an uninsured motorist insurance policy. Through negotiations, the goal is to determine what your actual damages are and how much you should be compensated. The insurance adjusters and their lawyers may also attempt to find evidence showing that you were the one who was responsible for the accident, so they do not have to pay you anything.
Even if they can prove that you were partially responsible, you will be able to recover significantly less money in some instances. By retaining the legal counsel of a Conyers uninsured motorist accident lawyer, you get access to an attorney who will negotiate on your behalf. They will also work hard to ensure that the insurance company can clearly see that you were not at fault for the accident.
Get the Most from Your Policy
Many people think they will automatically be fully covered by their uninsured motorist insurance policy. Realistically, the laws that dictate how uninsured motorist claims are processed are complex. This means that people who do not follow the correct process when making their claims can be offered less money than they deserve.
While this is unfair in some ways, it is legal. Therefore, expect insurance companies to take advantage of claimants when possible.
Do Not File Your Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claim Alone
At John Foy & Associates, we understand the complexities of the uninsured motorist insurance claims process. When you hire us to represent you, we will review your insurance policy thoroughly to determine exactly how much compensation is warranted. Then, we will negotiate on your behalf to recover the amount you are due.
Trust us to build an effective case for you. Schedule a free case evaluation by using the contact form on this page to get started.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
