What if the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn't Have Auto Insurance?

Georgia law requires all licensed drivers to carry liability auto insurance, which should cover the other driver’s damages in the case of an accident. However, that doesn’t mean everyone follows the law; uninsured motorists are abundant in the state. That said, if you are involved in an accident and the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance (or enough insurance), you’re not necessarily out of luck, so to speak. There are at least three resources by which you can potentially get your losses covered.

Uninsured motorist coverage

When you are hit by a motorist without proper insurance, your first line of defense is uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UIM). Georgia law doesn’t require you to carry this coverage, but insurance companies are required to offer it – which means you have to sign a waiver specifically stating you don’t want it. If you never signed such a waiver, chances are you have UM/UIM and don’t realize it. Check your policy and check with your insurance provider; if you don’t have this coverage, we advise you to purchase it before an accident occurs. It can definitely save you a lot of money.

Health insurance

Your health insurance obviously won’t cover damage to your vehicle, but it can cover some or all of your medical expenses if you’re injured in an accident, just as if you were sick or injured on your own. If you don’t have health insurance, we recommend purchasing some.

Hire a personal injury attorney

If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage or health insurance – or if you have costs that these policies don’t adequately cover – your next line of defense is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney who can represent your interests in court. Don’t assume that if the other driver is uninsured that he/she can’t pay. Personal injury attorneys don’t just fight insurance companies who try to underpay – they also work to make sure the defendant takes responsibility for what insurance doesn’t cover. If the driver who hit you doesn’t have auto insurance, call Sutton Slover today for a free case evaluation at 404.768.0292.