Were You Injured in a Truck Accident in Georgia?
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.