The moment when a car accident occurs is one that can drastically change your life, but insurance coverage exists to give you a semblance of normalcy in a difficult time. When the fault lies with another driver who does not have insurance, however, the financial support you need might not be a certainty.
You might rely on insurance compensation to replace your damaged vehicle or pay costly medical bills after a devastating crash. By understanding what you can do in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver, you can protect yourself from a seemingly hopeless situation.
Do you have uninsured motorist coverage?
All vehicle owners and lessees in the state of Georgia must possess a liability insurance policy for each vehicle they drive with an active registration. An individual acting against this law will face criminal charges, but there is still a possibility that you might experience an accident with such an individual before the authorities catch them in the act. You cannot receive compensation from the offender’s insurance if they do not possess a policy, but you can add uninsured motorist coverage to your own policy to prevent an even more unfavorable outcome.
Should you sue the other driver?
You may have a very strong case against an at-fault driver who has no insurance, but filing a lawsuit is not always the right solution. Even if you win a settlement in court, keep in mind that an uninsured driver could be someone who cannot afford insurance let alone a compensation payout.
Experiencing an accident with an uninsured driver seems like an unwinnable situation. While it may not be fair to you as a law-abiding motorist, the best defense may be to bolster your own insurance in advance.