I was in a crash in Georgia recently, and it doesn’t look like the other driver had insurance. I asked for full coverage when I took out my policy, so I’m covered, right?
That depends upon what you mean by “full coverage.” Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a serious auto accident to drive home the importance of understanding exactly what is – and, more importantly, what is not – covered under one’s automobile accident insurance policy.
You are only covered against damages caused by an uninsured motorist if your so-called “full coverage” includes uninsured motorist insurance (UM). It is not unusual for an injured person to discover, too late, that what they thought was complete coverage against losses suffered in a car accident did not actually include UM coverage.
How can I find out the type of coverage I have?
Your insurance policy declaration page will have that information, or you can contact your insurance company. It is important to know not only whether you have UM coverage but also the limits thereof and whether your coverage stacks (combines with an underinsured driver’s coverage to more fully compensate you for your injuries when necessary).
If I do have UM coverage, and the uninsured driver was at fault, will it be necessary for me to talk to a lawyer? It seems like my insurance company and I should be on the same page, right?
It may seem like you and your insurance company have the common goal of making sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries. However, your insurance company has stockholders controlling it, so the adjuster will likely put a very different value on your case than you do. In other words, the insurance company will want to pay out as little as possible, while you will want the most generous settlement available under the facts of your case.
How can I know if what the insurance company is offering on my UM claim is fair?
There are many variable in a personal injury case arising from an automobile accident case, including the nature and extent of your injuries, any permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement, whether you will be able to go back to work at your regular job, how much pain and suffering you endured, etc. A UM case adds additional considerations, such as whether there are multiple policies of insurance potentially available, whether the coverage stacks, whether the insurance company has a possible defense (such as lack of timely notice), and so on. An experienced Atlanta car crash lawyer can be of great assistance in determining the reasonable settlement range for your case. Retaining an attorney also shows the insurance company that you take your claim seriously and that you are prepared to fight for your legal rights in court if necessary.
How can I find out more about seeking fair compensation for injuries caused by an uninsured motorist?
If you or a member of your family has been hurt in a crash caused by the negligence of an uninsured motorist, you should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Just as with other types of motor vehicle collision cases involving injuries or a wrongful death, a failure to act in a timely fashion can result in the forfeiture of one’s rights under the law (or under an insurance policy). To schedule a free consultation regarding your Atlanta car accident case, call the Law Offices of T. Andrew Miller, LLC, at 678-894-7868 today.
