Blake Swan Law Firm News

The Importance of Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Georgia There are around 30 million drivers without insurance in the United States, despite car insurance being legally required in most states. In Georgia, over 12% of drivers are uninsured. Without special coverage, you could be left shouldering the financial burden of an auto accident even if you weren’t at fault. Any car accident has the potential to wreak havoc on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being, but the damage is multiplied when the other driver is uninsured. Georgia’s Car Insurance Laws Georgia requires motor vehicle owners to maintain continuous liability coverage on any vehicle that is actively registered. Liability insurance covers the other person in an accident in which the insured person is at fault. For example, if you are responsible for a car crash involving another vehicle, your liability coverage would pay for the other driver’s accident- related expenses. There are state-required minimums for liability coverage. Georgia law requires drivers to carry a minimum of: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident $25,000 property damage coverage Additional coverage is available through most insurers, but it is optional. If you have been in an auto accident with an uninsured driver, a Savannah car accident lawyer can help you assess your options. Penalties for Driving Without Insurance If a driver is found to be operating their vehicle without the appropriate car insurance coverage, the Georgia Department of Revenue will suspend or revoke their vehicle registration. A $25 fine will be incurred for any lapse in coverage, with an additional $160 fine if the original fee is not paid within 30 days. Further penalties can include: Denial or refusal for reinstatement of registration Misdemeanor charge A fine of up to $1,000 Imprisonment of up to 12 months Despite these penalties, numerous drivers continue to operate their vehicles without insurance throughout Savannah, Atlanta, and other Georgia areas. What can you do to protect yourself from uninsured drivers? Uninsured Motorist Coverage Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is an optional policy option that protects drivers from financial damage caused by an auto accident with an uninsured driver. This is an additional layer of protection that can be added to your existing policy and would cover injury and property damage expenses in the event of a collision. UM insurance can also cover damages in hit-and-run accidents. Similar to liability insurance, UM coverage has minimum coverage amounts in Georgia. Uninsured motorist insurance must provide at least $25,000 in injury coverage per person, $50,000 in injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. An auto accident is stressful enough without having to worry about the at-fault driver’s lack of insurance coverage. Injured drivers and passengers need financial compensation from car insurance claims to recover and start getting back to their lives. If you have questions about your Savannah auto accident, the personal injury attorneys at Blake Swan Law Firm are here to help. We offer free consultations, and we don’t charge any fees unless we win your case. Call us at 1-912-200-7066 to schedule your free consultation.