Carrollton Uninsured Auto Claims Lawyer

We’ve all heard and seen the slogans, jingles, and mascots. Like a good neighbor…. You’re in good hands with…. A particular company is always on your side (with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.). And let’s not forget the duck, the gecko, the cavemen, and the ultra-annoying Flo.

Insurance companies are as common a part of our society as fast-food chains, pharmacies, and, you guessed it, lawyers. In Georgia alone, there are hundreds if not thousands of companies ready to assist you with your insurance needs. However, many people purchase insurance like they purchase a cheeseburger, i.e. without much thought. It usually happens as follows: (1) They contact an insurance agent; (2) The insurance agent provides them a quote along with a direct debit authorization; and (3) the insurance policy is issued. However, you should think long and hard about what type of insurance coverage you need to protect your family. Let’s run through what insurance you may need if you are involved in a car accident.

The Car Accident & Your Injuries

It is a beautiful spring day. Your car windows are open and you are jamming out to your favorite 1980’s rock-n-roll ballad. Steve Perry, a former lead singer of Journey, hits the epic high note in the song “Don’t Stop Believing,” which you attempt to match note-for-note, key-for-key while driving. In that moment of glory, while envisioning a sold-out Georgia Dome witnessing your moment, you don’t notice the vehicle running the stop sign in front of you. BAMM!!! SCREECH!!! HISS!!! You hit the other car smack dab in the middle of the driver’s side door.

Once the cobwebs are out of your brain, you notice the other driver climbing out of the window of his car. You try to do the same, but your left shoulder is not cooperating, in fact, it is screaming at you in pain. The police arrive and it is determined that the accident was the other driver’s fault. Meanwhile, you are transported to the hospital where you are told that you will be receiving months of treatment that includes shoulder reconstructive surgery. The cost of your medical treatment is $125,000.00.

Liability Insurance

Most people are very familiar with the term “liability.” This is the insurance that covers you if, well, SOMETHING IS YOUR FAULT. You are required by Georgia state law to have a minimum of $25,000.00 per person/$50,000.00 per accident in liability coverage on your vehicle in order to operate it on public streets.

Let’s say the at-fault driver above you purchased a minimum coverage liability insurance policy in the amount of $25,000.00. You only have covered twenty percent of your medical costs. What are you to do about the other $100,000.00 in medical costs incurred? That is not a situation that you want to be presented with.

Uninsured Motorist Insurance

Many people think this only applies in situations where an at-fault motorist is uninsured. However, in many instances, this insurance should be termed underinsured coverage. In the accident above, you still potentially owe $100,000.00 to medical facilities for the care of the injuries you sustained in the crash. Say that your insurance agent (being a good one), sold you on obtaining add-on uninsured motorist insurance coverage in the amount of $100,000.00. All it cost you was around $140 per year. Now, is the time to do a dance, high-five your insurance agent, or run naked down the street (not recommended). You have enough insurance coverage to cover your medical care costs. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance coverage amount of $25,000.00 with your $100,000.00 uninsured motorist policy, when stacked (there will be another article on “stacking” and “non-stacking”), give you $125,000.00 in insurance coverage.

Final Thoughts

You are lucky that you had uninsured motorist insurance. If you had simply requested “the cheapest minimal insurance,” you would have likely been left with mounds of medical costs. Be honest with your insurance agent, and tell him or her that you want to purchase the most insurance coverage that your budget will allow. Accidents are just that! Accidents. You don’t plan for them, but in the event one happens, you can plan to be covered financially.