Getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist is every driver’s nightmare. In Kennesaw, state law requires that every vehicle owner carry insurance—which would mean every driver is covered. But plenty of drivers don’t follow the law, and even with insurance, accidents can easily exceed the policy limits.
That mean you can find yourself facing an at-fault driver who claims they can’t pay. If this happens to you, don’t try to deal with it alone. Talk to a Kennesaw uninsured motorist accident lawyer.
John Foy & Associates can help you. Our firm is one of the most experienced and top-rated personal injury firms in the state, with more than two decades of experience recovering money for accident victims—even when there’s no insurance.
Let us give you a FREE consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
The 3 Most Common Mistakes with Uninsured Drivers
Most people know how to handle an accident where everyone has insurance. But when the other driver says they don’t have it, or they dodge the question, it can be hard to know what to do. This is where many drivers make a few crucial mistakes. These are the biggest mistakes to avoid after an accident:
- Not calling the police. The first thing an uninsured driver says is, “I’d rather work this out without calling the police.” This is a red flag—do not listen. You can tell them that Georgia law requires calling the police for most accidents, and place the call. The police report will later prove invaluable for establishing what happened.
- Agreeing to take a check for the car repair costs. To put it bluntly, car repair costs are oftenthe smallest part of your losses. Even a minor fender bender can cause neck injuries and pain that will require doctor treatments. And anything more serious than that can cost you tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, in medical bills. An accident claim includes money for all of this as well as your missed work time and other costs. Don’t sell yourself short.
- Not getting legal help. The second you find out the other driver isn’t insured, your claim gets far more complicated. Even a normal accident claim is hard for someone without a legal background. Trying to pursue an uninsured motorist claim on your own will often mean you never get paid at all. Always talk to a lawyer.
Get the strong arm
The Uninsured Driver that Hit Me Has No Money. How Can They Possibly Pay?
Most drivers can’t pay for an accident out of pocket. But that doesn’t change the amount of money you have a right to, nor does it mean you have to be left stuck with all the bills.
There are several ways we may be able to recover money for you:
- Other insurance policies that cover the accident
- A long-term payment plan where the at-fault driver pays you bit by bit
- A lien, which means you get paid at a later date when the at-fault driver sells their house or other property
Looking at other insurance policies is always our first step and is often the easiest way to get you the money you deserve.
What Other Kinds of Insurance Policies Could Pay My Claim?
Most of us think of car insurance as the only insurance policy that covers an accident. But that isn’t always true. In many circumstances there are other policies at play that could pay for some or all of your costs.
The most common policies are:
- Uninsured driver insurance. Your own car insurance policy may have a rider that gives you protection against uninsured drivers. Some agencies include this in your policy by default or up-sell you when buying insurance. That means you could have it buried somewhere in the legalese of your own insurance even if you don’t know it.
- An umbrella policy. Some people have an “umbrella policy” which is meant to cover them from any major liability or lawsuit. This is especially common with businesses, but individuals can have them too. We can find out if a policy like this applies to the driver who hit you.
- Insurance from an employer. If the driver was doing a work-related errand, there’s a chance they are covered by insurance from their employer, especially if they were in a work vehicle.
- Credit cards. Some travel credit cards automatically insure any car rented with the card, so if the other driver was in a rental vehicle, they may be covered.
Even if there are no insurance policies that apply, you still have a right to recover money.
What Is “Under-Insurance”?
Under-insurance is what happens when the cost of an accident is more than the maximum on a policy. So if the driver has $25,000 in car insurance and your costs total $40,000, they are still under-insured by $15,000.
Under-insurance claims work the same as uninsured claims, except that you get at least some of the money you’re owed from the policy directly. This is often enough to pay your immediate bills related to the accident while we work to get you everything else.
This is also the reason that even an accident with an insured driver can quickly turn into a complicated claim. Get help from a lawyer.
Talk to a Kennesaw Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer for Free
John Foy & Associates exists for one reason: to protect those who were injured. For 20 years we have proved that we know how to win even the most difficult cases involving uninsured drivers. Don’t let bills pile up while you struggle to get your financial recovery. Sit down with us for a FREE consultation.
Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form