You may have heard of different types of insurance and vaguely understand some of the differences. When you have been injured in a car accident and are looking for fair compensation for your injuries, understanding insurance options is most important.
Georgia’s insurance requirements are basic – a driver only needs to have liability insurance to drive. If the driver who hits you carries only the basic amounts, you hardly have adequate coverage for a serious accident. In those circumstances, a seasoned personal injury attorney can help explore all insurance coverage options, including from your own policy, to make sure you recover the full amount.
Also, as you review your own auto insurance policy amounts, you should consider whether going beyond the basic requirements is in your best interest.
The liability insurance policy of the party who is liable (causes) the accident covers property damage and injuries to others in the accident. If another driver hits your car, you or your lawyer can make a claim against the other driver’s liability policy by negotiating directly with their insurance company or by using them. You can recover for vehicle damage, injuries, pain, and suffering under this policy. If your damages are greater than the liability policy amounts, there may be recovery options under another policy of the person who hit you, your own policy, or you can sue the other party for the remaining amounts. There are two types of liability insurance required by Georgia law:
In Georgia, approximately 12% of drivers have no insurance, and many more have inadequate insurance. Uninsured insurance coverage and underinsured insurance coverage and are not required in Georgia. This type of insurance covers costs your medical expenses when you are in an accident, the other driver is at fault but has no insurance (uninsured) or inadequate insurance coverage (underinsured).
Collision insurance is designed to help you repair or replace your car that has been damaged in an accident. Accidents can include hitting another car or object (like a tree or wall). Collision insurance covers your own car, not damage to someone else’s vehicle. This type is not required by Georgia law but if you are leasing a car or are financing a car through a bank, those institutions will generally require you to have collision insurance.
Medical payments insurance pays for medical expenses for you or your passengers in an accident, regardless of who caused the accident. Medical payments insurance generally includes funeral expenses. This type of insurance is not required in Georgia.
Bodily injury insurance (required by Georgia law and referenced above) covers injuries that you are responsible for because of an accident. By comparison, medical payment insurance pays for medical and related expenses for you and your passengers no matter who is at fault for the accident.
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car that happens for a reason other than a car accident. An insured would use their comprehensive coverage if their vehicle were damaged by a storm, a tree falling on it, vandalism, or if the vehicle is stolen. On the other hand, collision insurance (discussed above) covers the repair or replacement of your vehicle after it is damaged in an accident. Comprehensive insurance allows for the repair or replacement of the vehicle, which would be generally decided by the insurance company. Comprehensive insurance is not required in Georgia.
Auto insurance policies generally have a deductible. A deductible is a designated amount that an insured needs to pay before an insurance company pays a claim under that insurance policy.
For example, if the deductible on your policy is $1,000, you would have to pay $1,000 before the insurance company starts paying anything under the policy. If your damages are under $1,000, that would be an out-of-pocket expense and the insurance company would pay no amount.
As mentioned above, Georgia law requires each driver to carry:
Insurance companies electronically submit policy information to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. If you are in an accident and do not have insurance, the first consequence is that you do not have any coverage for damage. The second consequence is that you will suffer the legal consequence of driving without insurance, including:
If you do not have insurance or are unable to obtain insurance, please refrain from driving until you have proper insurance!
Have you been in an auto accident in the Atlanta, Georgia area where your car was damaged or totaled but your insurance company or the other insurance company is not providing fair compensation?
Were you in an accident in the Atlanta, Georgia area where you were hurt but your recovery isn’t even enough to cover your medical bills?
Your insurance company may not give you a clear picture of all possible insurance policies available to you. The experienced attorneys at CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm are available to help you explore insurance coverage options available to you under policies held by you, your family, or the person who caused the accident. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
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After a personal injury, you're bound to have legal questions. The CEO Lawyer Ali Awad can provide you with answers to these questions, just as he's given answers to his millions of curious social media followers. Take a look at some of the most common personal injury law questions for general information, and then reach out to one of our seasoned attorneys for specific guidance on your case!
To quickly resolve matters following an accident, insurance companies will offer you less than you deserve in compensation for your injuries. Many victims feel pressured to accept these offers as the bills begin to pile up, but that is rarely a good idea. The insurance company is looking to protect its bottom line; and will offer injured victims less than they deserve. An experienced personal injury attorney understands how to negotiate with the insurance company and can look out for your best interests by getting you the compensation you deserve after an injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it is important to avoid negotiating or providing recorded statements to the insurance company without first seeking help from a qualified personal injury attorney.
The best way to determine if you have a personal injury case is to speak with a knowledgeable attorney. Our legal professionals have the expertise to evaluate your case and determine a strong legal strategy so that you can obtain the greatest amount of compensation possible under the law. We will enlist investigators, assistants, and other specialists to collect accident reports, speak with witnesses to your accident, and put together a plan. While you focus on your physical recovery, we will remain committed to fighting for the compensation that you deserve.
Accident victims have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time period is referred to as the statute of limitations, and in Atlanta, it lasts only two years. This means that if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you have only two years to pursue a personal injury suit. If you wait too long to reach out to an experienced attorney, you might be forever barred from seeking the compensation you deserve.
During your initial consultation with CEO Lawyer team, we will go over the important details of your personal injury accident, which include the nature and extent of your injuries, how your injuries have impacted your ability to earn a paycheck, the cost of your medical treatment, and whether further medical treatment will be required. We will answer any questions you might have, as well, in regards to our experience, our track record of success, and what to expect from the legal process. Many personal injury victims wonder if they will be able to afford the legal fees required to pursue a lawsuit. CEO Lawyer injury and accident attorneys will not ask for any type of upfront fee unless we are successful in obtaining compensation for you. That means that if you have been harmed in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall accident, defective product accident, or any other type of personal injury accident, you can absolutely afford to contact our law office today for assistance. In fact, you cannot afford to wait. Reach out today. We understand that some accident victims might have already obtained the assistance of an attorney but may be dissatisfied with the services provided. We are standing by and prepared to help you change legal representation, regardless of where you are in the process.
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of personal injury accident, you should not hesitate to speak with the experienced attorneys at CEO Lawyer personal injury law firm. Call, email, or fill out our online contact form today so that we can begin helping you pursue the compensation you deserve.