If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by a motorist who doesn’t have auto insurance, you might be wondering how you’ll get the money you need to repair your vehicle, cover any medical bills you’re facing due to accident-related injuries, and manage other challenges that the collision has caused.
Fortunately, a Marietta car accident lawyer from Jones & Swanson will help you pursue damages. Our firm has over 45 years of combined experience handling cases just like yours. A Marietta uninsured motorist car accident lawyer from our team will determine your best course of action and work tirelessly to get a fair outcome.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Many households these days are working on tighter budgets and are looking for ways to cut back on their monthly expenses. Based on our experience, it appears that many people are choosing to reduce the liability coverage on their automobile insurance policies or drop it altogether.
If you are injured by an uninsured driver or one with insufficient coverage for your claim, you may not be able to recover fair compensation for your claim. For this reason, we encourage all of our clients to discuss uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with their insurance company or agent.
Uninsured motorist coverage, or UM, is additional coverage on your own auto insurance policy that covers you, your family, and any passengers in your car. Please note that insurance companies are prohibited from charging a surcharge for claims made under your own policy where you are not at fault under Georgia law.
While UM coverage can offer helpful compensation in the event of an uninsured motorist accident, filing a claim with your insurer can be difficult, especially if you are recovering from a serious injury. The good news is that an uninsured motorist car accident attorney from our personal injury lawyer in Marietta will help you file a claim and get the damages you need to recover.
Two Different Types of Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you need to file a claim under your uninsured motorist policy, it’s important to know which type of UM coverage you have. Insurers in Georgia offer Reduced UM and Excess UM coverage. Understanding the differences between these two types of coverage can help you make smart decisions during the claims process.
A skilled uninsured motorist car accident lawyer from Marietta will explain the details of your policy and help you file a strong UM claim for compensation. You can count on our attorneys to seek fair compensation by filing a claim under one of the following types of UM policies:
Reduced UM Coverage
Reduced UM is commonly referred to as Traditional UM. Although it has significant shortcomings, having some form of UM is certainly still preferable to none. Choosing reduced uninsured motorist coverage means you will be provided coverage only in instances where the at–fault party’s coverage is less than your coverage.
Furthermore, the coverage is only applicable to the extent your policy is greater than the at-fault party’s coverage. For example, if you obtain a $100,000 reduced UM policy and are injured in an auto accident by someone with no coverage, you can make a claim through your UM insurer for up to $100,000.
Or, in the event you are injured in an auto accident by someone with the state minimum $25,000 in liability coverage, your uninsured motorist coverage will be reduced by that amount and provide you with only $75,000 in additional coverage for a total of $100,000 in coverage.
Excess UM Coverage
Conversely, excess UM coverage, also called add-on UM, provides insurance to you, your family, and your passengers in addition to any coverage held by the at-fault party. Using the example above, an excess uninsured motorist policy would still provide you with $100,000 in coverage where the at-fault party has no insurance.
However, where the at-fault driver’s coverage is $25,000, your $100,000 excess UM policy will provide you and your loved ones with up to $125,000 in total coverage.
If you sustain significant injuries and incur extensive medical expenses, the difference in having no UM coverage, reduced coverage, or excess coverage can be drastic. Interestingly, the difference in cost between reduced and excess coverage is often minimal.
How to Get Compensation if You don’t Have UM Coverage
If you don’t have Excess or Reduced UM coverage, don’t panic. There are several other courses of action you can take to get compensation. Our Marietta uninsured motorist car accident lawyers will meet with you to discuss your unique situation and determine what your best path forward is.
Depending on the other forms of coverage you have and the details of your accident, you may be able to collect damages by taking one of the following actions:
Filing a Lawsuit
In some cases, an attorney may advise you to file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. However, if the driver isn’t insured because they can’t afford coverage, it’s likely they won’t have the funds to pay damages. On the other hand, if the driver’s insurance lapsed or if they are uninsured for another reason, filing a civil suit may be advisable.
If it’s in your best interest to take your case to court, our team will gather relevant evidence, construct a strong civil suit, and represent you at trial. We’ll make compelling legal arguments in court and fight relentlessly to get a favorable verdict.
Filing a PIP Claim
If you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, you may be able to file a claim under this policy. This type of policy can provide compensation for any injuries you and your passengers suffered in the collision. This type of policy provides coverage regardless of who was at fault for the crash.
In addition to covering medical expenses, a PIP claim can also give you the money you need to replace lost wages. If the accident caused fatal injuries to the driver or passenger, this type of claim can also provide compensation for funeral expenses.
Utilizing Collision Insurance
If your auto insurance plan includes collision coverage, you may be able to file a claim against this part of your policy. While you’ll have to pay your deductible, your insurer may reimburse you for it at a later date.
Reach out to an uninsured motorist car accident attorney in Marietta to learn more about getting the most out of your collision insurance.
Sue Another Involved Party
If there were more than two drivers involved in the collision, you may be able to file a lawsuit against another party. If our team finds that one of the other involved parties contributed to the collision, they may be held liable for your injuries, medical expenses, and other damages.
Taking legal action after an accident that involved more than one at-fault driver can be incredibly complicated. To file a successful suit, you’ll need to work with an attorney who is able to commit a great deal of time and effort to your case.
At Jones & Swanson, we’re not like other big–box firms that treat you like another case number and put minimal effort into your claim. Instead, we’ll treat you like family and prioritize your case. No matter how complicated your accident was, we’ll conduct a thorough investigation and identify all parties that may be held legally responsible.
What to Do After an Accident Caused by an Uninsured Driver
If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, there are several steps you can take immediately after the collision to protect your health and strengthen your claim. Make sure to take the following actions right away:
- Assess your injuries and determine if you need immediate medical attention
- Call 911 if you, a passenger, or another driver needs emergency medical care
- File a police report
- Obtain the at-fault driver’s contact and insurance information
- Take photos of vehicle damage, visible injuries, and other important elements of the accident scene
- Speak to eye-witnesses and take down their contact information
- Don’t speak with the insurance company until you’ve hired an attorney
- Don’t post about your accident on social media
Once you’ve taken these steps, you’ll want to seek care from a trusted physician. A medical professional can assess you and determine if you’ve suffered any injuries that you haven’t noticed due to the initial adrenaline rush and shock of the crash.
Next, you’ll want to hire a trusted Marietta uninsured motorist car accident attorney. A lawyer can represent you during insurance negotiations and make sure you don’t get taken advantage of by the insurance provider.
Our Firm Has a Track Record of Success With Cases Like Yours
At Jones & Swanson, we’ve won over $50 million in case results for individuals injured in car wrecks and other types of incidents. Our uninsured motorist car accident attorneys in Marietta have obtained impressive results for those involved in uninsured motorist crashes, specifically a 56-year-old client who was hit head-on by a distracted driver.
Our team won $105,000 for this client, allowing them to cover their medical expenses and focus on their physical recovery. You can have peace of mind knowing our team has what it takes to get the compensation and justice you deserve.
We’ve changed the lives of countless accident victims, and they’ve thanked us by writing glowing reviews. Once you’ve reviewed our past case results and client reviews, you’ll realize that Jones & Swanson is the only firm you want to represent you after a serious accident.
Steps a Marietta Uninsured Motorist Car Accident Lawyer Can Take to Win Your Case
If you’re recovering from a painful injury, you probably won’t have the energy to file a winning claim or lawsuit. Even if you are able to file a claim, the insurer may deny it or try to convince you that a lowball offer is all you need to cover your losses.
Fortunately, our experienced Marietta uninsured motorist car accident attorneys can handle the entirety of your case, so you can get the rest you need to recuperate from your injuries. Here’s what our firm can do to protect your best interests and get the most out of your claim:
- Offer you a free consultation
- Determine which type of claim(s) you should file
- Investigate your accident and gather important evidence
- Calculate how much compensation you need to move forward
- Meet with insurers and negotiate a payment that meets your needs
- Represent you in court if filing a lawsuit is your best option
- Offer legal advice throughout your case
When you work with our team, you can expect honest and straightforward advice. We’ll take all of the above-mentioned actions on your behalf and offer compassionate legal support throughout your entire case.
We Can Connect You With a Trusted Medical Provider
We’ve worked with many uninsured motorist accident victims who weren’t able to cover their medical expenses. We know how stressful it can be when you don’t have medical insurance or lack the funds necessary to afford care. That’s why we’ll connect you with a provider who can work with your current financial situation.
Once you’ve been treated for your injuries, we’ll doggedly pursue the compensation you need to cover current medical costs, future care costs, physical therapy expenses, and any other medical bills you incur due to your injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Marietta Uninsured Motorist Car Accident Attorney
The uninsured motorist attorneys at Jones & Swanson have years of experience handling claims involving multiple insurance policies, especially UM coverages. In many cases, accident victims are unaware that such coverage may exist and that they may be afforded UM coverage under several different policies.
Nearly all uninsured motorist policies require prompt notice of an accident and potential UM claim. A Marietta uninsured motorist car accident lawyer from our firm can help you notify your insurer and handle all other aspects of your case.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney and get the compassionate representation you deserve.
