The reason you pay for auto insurance is to make sure your bills are covered should you get into an accident. The hope is that the other driver has insurance as well. This way, regardless of who was at fault, you won’t be left holding thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Unfortunately, as any Kennesaw car accident lawyer can attest to, it doesn’t always work out this way.
All Drivers in Georgia Are Required to Carry Auto Insurance
Regardless of where you live in Georgia, you’re legally required to carry auto insurance. If you’re caught driving without insurance, any number of things can happen. You could be arrested and fined a significant amount of money.
If you get into an accident and don’t have insurance, there’s a chance they’ll impound your car. You may even face criminal charges.
The Law Even Spells Out How Much Insurance Coverage You Must Have
According to the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance Safety Fire, there are certain minimum levels of coverage you must carry. Specifically, Georgia drivers are required to maintain the following levels of coverage.
- Bodily Injury – You must carry at least $25,000 coverage per person. You’re also required to carry at least $50,000 in insurance coverage per incident. So, if you have the minimum coverage and get into an accident and there are several injured parties, the most the insurance company will pay out is $50,000.
- Property Damage – The requirement for property damage is much lower. You’re only required to carry $25,000 per incident when it comes to damage to the other driver’s car or SUV.
Your Kennesaw car accident lawyer is well-versed in the insurance laws in Georgia. Many of the people they sue on behalf of their clients only carry the minimum coverage levels outlined above. This means that there are often times when the defendant’s insurance policy doesn’t come close to covering your injuries.
There’s Always the Chance That Your Damages Will Exceed the Defendant’s Policy Limits
When you think about it, the odds of your damages exceeding the defendant’s coverage are good. If they carry the state minimums, that means you’ll only be able to collect up to $50,000 for your car accident.
If your injuries are serious, then your medical bills alone could easily exceed $50,000. This doesn’t even include your property loss, lost income, or pain and suffering.
What this means is that there’s a good chance that your accident attorney in Kennesaw may need to do more than file an insurance claim. They may have to sue the other driver personally for damages.
Your Damages May Be High
Depending on the facts of your case, your damages may be quite high. Your Kennesaw car accident lawyer is required to list your damages in your initial complaint. Typically, your complaint will demand some or all of the following:
- Compensation for any damage to your vehicle
- Reimbursement for any medical bills you paid out-of-pocket
- Reimbursement to your health insurance company if they covered any medical treatment after your car crash
- Compensation for lost wages
- Compensation for any lost future income you may suffer
- Damages for pain and suffering
Of course, there’s no way to know for sure which types of damages you’ll be awarded. However, your Kennesaw car accident lawyer will have an idea of how much your case is worth. If it exceeds the defendant’s insurance policy limits, you may have no choice but to file suit.
There May Have Been Several People Injured in the Crash
Many accidents involve more than just the drivers. If you’re involved in a car wreck, there’s the possibility that there were passengers in one or both of the vehicles. If they were injured, they’re going to have a claim for damages as well.
Depending on the coverage limits, there may not be enough money to cover everyone’s damages. Some, or all of the victims, may need to file a lawsuit against the driver responsible for the crash.
What Options Will Your Accident Attorney in Kennesaw Have If This Happens?
The last thing you’ll want to hear is that the insurance isn’t able to cover your damages. It doesn’t matter whether it’s because your damages are high or because there were multiple victims. You’re going to want to know what other options you have.
The good news is that your accident attorney in Kennesaw has handled plenty of cases like this. They’ll do their best to negotiate a settlement with the insurance adjuster. The problem is that most insurance companies have a policy regarding settlement. They will not settle a claim unless they can settle it for less than their client’s policy limits.
What this means is that there’s a possibility that you’ll have no choice but to sue. There is also the chance that your Kennesaw car accident lawyer can negotiate a settlement with both the insurance carrier and the driver individually.
Your Kennesaw Car Accident Lawyer Will Fight to Get You as Much Money as Possible
One thing you won’t have to worry about is your accident attorney in Kennesaw settling for less than you deserve. At a minimum, they’ll make sure your out-of-pocket expenses are covered.
You may not get your full demand. However, your attorney has the knowledge and experience to negotiate a settlement that is more than fair.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in Kennesaw Today!
Dealing with the insurance company after a car accident can be frustrating, to say the least. Many of our clients tell us that they felt like the insurance adjuster was trying to take advantage of them. That’s why we suggest you meet with an experienced Kennesaw car accident lawyer before you accept any settlement from the insurance carrier.
One thing our accident attorneys in Kennesaw have learned over the years is that insurance adjusters prefer to deal with people who don’t have an attorney. This gives them a certain amount of leverage that they don’t have with a seasoned car accident lawyer.
We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. It’s important that you consider all your options before you agree to anything the insurance company offers. All you have to do is contact our office at (770) HELP-NOW.
