If you drive a car in Georgia, you are required to carry auto insurance. However, many drivers overlook what their policies actually cover until they are involved in an accident. Georgia is an at-fault state, which means the driver who causes a crash is financially responsible for the resulting damages. How much coverage you carry can directly affect your ability to both recover compensation and to protect yourself from liability.
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help if you have been involved in a crash and need to navigate the insurance process. Our attorneys have 50 years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients in Atlanta, Georgia, and throughout the state.
Contact our law offices today at (770)-900-9000 to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta car accident lawyer and learn about your legal options to pursue compensation.
How Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Car Insurance Claim in Atlanta, GA
One of the most important things to remember after a car accident is that the insurance companies are not on your side. These are corporations that just want to make a profit and collect your monthly premium payments, not pay you the full value of your claim.
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you level the playing field and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of.
Our Atlanta personal injury attorney can help by:
- Investigating your accident and gathering the evidence needed to establish fault
- Reviewing all of the applicable insurance policies to identify every source of coverage
- Calculating the full extent of your economic and non-economic damages
- Communicating directly with the insurance companies so you do not have to
- Negotiating aggressively for a settlement that reflects what your case is truly worth
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court if the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount
Contact us today for a free case review. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay us if we win compensation for you.
What Are Georgia’s Minimum Car Insurance Requirements?
Georgia law requires all registered vehicles to carry liability insurance.
The state’s minimum coverage amounts are generally:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
Bodily injury liability covers the injury-related losses of people you injure in an accident where you are at fault. Property damage liability covers the losses that only affect the other driver’s car and other belongings.
These are the legal minimums, but they may not cover the full cost of a serious accident. If the damages you cause exceed your policy limits, you can be held personally responsible for paying the difference.
What Optional Coverage Should I Consider?
Beyond the required liability insurance, Georgia drivers have access to several optional coverages that can provide additional protection.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)
Georgia law requires insurance companies to include UM/UIM coverage in your policy unless you specifically reject it in writing. This coverage protects you if the at-fault driver has no insurance or does not carry enough to cover your losses.
With roughly 1 in 5 Georgia drivers estimated to be uninsured, carrying UM/UIM coverage can be a smart decision.
Collision Coverage
Collision insurance pays for repairs to your own vehicle after a crash, regardless of who was at fault. If you are financing or leasing your car, your lender will likely require this coverage.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle against damage from events other than collisions, such as theft and falling objects.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
MedPay covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. It can help fill gaps that your health insurance does not cover, such as deductibles and co-pays.
To ensure you have the maximum protection after a crash, consult with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney from our firm who can review your policy and explain your coverage options.
How Does Georgia’s Insurance System Affect My Claim?
Since Georgia is an at-fault state, the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying for the victim’s damages. You generally have three options for seeking compensation under this framework:
- File a claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance
- File a claim through your own insurance if you carry the appropriate coverage
- File a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence law under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 that applies to these cases as well. This means your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more responsible for the accident, you are barred from recovering any compensation at all.
An experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer from our team can help you respond appropriately and protect you from unfair blame-shifting tactics.
Call Today and Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers
Learning about how car insurance works in Georgia is important, but navigating a real claim after an accident is a different challenge entirely. Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is here to guide you through the legal process from start to finish, as you focus on your health and medical recovery.
Contact our Atlanta car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We’ve won tens of millions on behalf of our clients and can work just as hard for you.
