Marietta Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Skilled and Trusted Marietta, GA Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorneys

Georgia requires that all motorists carry certain liability insurance, which will pay compensation when the policyholder is at fault for a collision. Alarmingly, however, roughly 12% of motorists in Georgia are uninsured. Even more motorists drive into Georgia each day without insurance coverage, so the number of uninsured or underinsured drivers on our roads is larger than what people imagine.

If you’ve been in an accident in Marietta with an uninsured motorist, navigating the aftermath can be daunting and complex. Our Marietta Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers specialize in providing expert legal assistance to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. With Georgia’s roads seeing an increasing number of uninsured drivers, our experienced legal team is more important than ever.

Our attorneys have a deep understanding of Georgia’s traffic laws and insurance policies, enabling us to skillfully manage your case. We offer personalized legal strategies tailored to the specifics of your accident, ensuring the best possible outcome. Whether negotiating with insurance companies or representing you in court, our goal is to secure the financial support you need for medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. Contact us today to speak with an uninsured driver accident lawyer in Marietta.

How to Navigate an Accident with an Uninsured Driver

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough, but it can be even more challenging if the other driver doesn’t have insurance. Here’s a simple guide on what to do in this situation:

• Stay Safe and Call the Police: First, make sure everyone is safe. Then, call the police. It’s crucial to have a police report, especially when dealing with an uninsured driver.
• Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s contact and vehicle information. Even though they are uninsured, this information is important for your records and any legal steps.
• Document the Accident: Take photos of the scene, your car, and any injuries. This will be helpful for insurance claims and potential legal actions.
• Contact Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company about the accident. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, this can help cover your costs.
• Consider Legal Advice: Sometimes, you might need to take legal steps to get damage compensation. Talking to a lawyer can guide you on the best action to take.
• Understand Your Rights and Options: Each state has different traffic laws and insurance requirements. Knowing these can help you navigate the situation better.
• Look After Your Health: If you’re hurt, get medical attention immediately. Personal injury needs to be addressed and documented for insurance and legal purposes.
• Stay Informed and Patient: Handling an accident with an uninsured driver can take time. Stay informed about your case and be patient as it progresses.

The Importance of Uninsured Motorist Coverage: What You Need to Know

Uninsured Motorist Coverage is a type of car insurance that’s really important. It helps protect you financially if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, or not enough of it. Here’s why it’s so valuable:

1. Protects Your Finances: If an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, this coverage helps pay for your medical bills and car repairs. This means less worry about big bills.
2. Covers More Than Just Car Damage: It’s not just about fixing your car. This insurance can also help with medical expenses, lost wages if you can’t work, and even pain and suffering in some cases.
3. Helps When the Other Driver Can’t Pay: Sometimes, the driver at fault can’t afford to pay for the damage they caused. Uninsured motorist coverage steps in to cover those costs.
4. It’s Often Required or Recommended: In many places, having this coverage is part of the legal requirements for drivers. Even if it’s not required, it’s still a smart choice.
5. Gives Peace of Mind: Knowing you’re covered in these situations can give you peace of mind every time you drive.
6. Flexible Policy Options: You can choose different levels of coverage depending on your needs and budget.
7. Helps with Hit-and-Run Accidents: If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, uninsured motorist coverage can be a lifesaver financially.

You Might Have Other Coverage that Can Kick In

In addition to UM coverage, our clients might also carry:

• Health Insurance: Many people have health insurance through a job, or they bought their own policy. You can use this insurance to pay for medical care following a crash.
• Medical Payments Coverage: This insurance will pay for medical bills related to an accident. The good thing about medical payment coverage is that it is no fault. That means you can use it even if you were responsible for your wreck. You can use medical payments to cover a health insurance deductible, for example.
• Collision Coverage: This insurance will pay to repair your car when it is damaged in a crash. It is also no-fault, which means you can tap these benefits even if responsible for a wreck.

Steps to Take Following a Collision with an Uninsured Driver in Marietta

If you’re in a car accident in Atlanta with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, it can be a tough situation. Here’s a simple guide on what to do:

1. Ensure Safety First: Make sure everyone is okay. If there are injuries, call 911 right away.
2. Call the Police: In Marietta, and everywhere in Georgia, it’s important to get a police report for any car accident. This is especially true when the other driver is uninsured.
3. Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact details, and car information. Even without insurance details, this info is important.
4. Take Photos: Document the scene. Take pictures of the cars, the road, and any injuries. This helps later with insurance claims and legal steps.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company: Tell your insurance company about the accident. In Georgia, having uninsured motorist coverage can be a big help in these cases.
6. Get a Damage Assessment: Find out how much it will cost to fix your car. This is useful for insurance and if you need to take legal action.
7. Consider Legal Advice: Sometimes, you might need a lawyer to help get money for car repairs or injuries. Our Uninsured Motorist Accident lawyers can guide you on what to do next.
8. Keep Records: Save all documents and receipts related to the accident. This includes the police report, medical bills, and repair costs.
9. Know Your Rights: Understand the traffic laws in Marietta and Georgia. This knowledge can help you handle the situation better.
10. Be Patient: Dealing with an uninsured driver can take time. Stay informed and patient as things progress.

Compensation Options When Hit by an Uninsured Motorist in Georgia

If you’re in a car accident in Georgia and the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you might worry about how to pay for damages or injuries. Here are some options for getting compensation:

• Your Own Insurance: If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance can help pay for car repairs and medical bills.
• Sue the Other Driver: You can take legal action against the uninsured driver. This can help you get money for repairs, medical costs, and even pain and suffering.
• Check Health Insurance: For medical bills, your health insurance might cover some costs.
• Collision Coverage: If you have collision coverage, it can pay for car repairs, regardless of who is at fault.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): In Georgia, PIP can help with medical expenses and lost wages if you can’t work.
• Explore State Funds: Some states have special funds to help people hit by uninsured drivers.
• Settlement Negotiations: If you sue, you might settle outside of court. This can be quicker than a full court case.
• Legal Advice: Talking to an Marietta personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options and what to do next.

Why Choose Wetherington Law Firm?

Choosing the right lawyers after an accident with an uninsured motorist in Marietta is crucial. Wetherington Law Firm is a great choice for many reasons:

1. Specialized Experience: They focus on cases involving uninsured motorists. This means they really know this area of Georgia law.
2. Local Expertise: As Marietta lawyers, they understand local traffic laws and how they apply to car accidents.
3. Personal Injury Knowledge: They have experience in handling personal injury claims, which is common in these accidents.
4. Help with Compensation: They guide you through the compensation process, aiming to get you the money you need for car repairs and medical bills.
5. Commitment to Clients: Wetherington Law Firm is known for really caring about their clients. They work hard to get the best outcome for you.
6. Navigating Legal Challenges: They can handle the tricky parts of dealing with uninsured motorists, making things less stressful for you.
7. Free Consultation: They usually offer a free first meeting. This lets you talk about your case without any cost.
8. No Win, No Fee: Often, they work on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. This means you don’t pay unless they win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions about Uninsured Motorist Accidents in Marietta

We receive calls every week from people hurt by a driver who lacks insurance. Below, we answer some of the more common questions we receive.

What Should You Expect When Suing an Uninsured Motorist?

Suing an uninsured or an underinsured driver is slightly different from suing a driver with a policy. First, it might take longer. Your attorney needs to see if the at-fault driver has any assets that could be used to pay a settlement. If the driver is completely poor—no property, no money in the bank—then suing him or her might be a waste of time. There are techniques your attorney can use to uncover what assets the defendant owns.

Second, you should prepare for the defendant to point the finger at you. This is one way they can avoid liability for the crash. Under Georgia law, you can only receive compensation if you are less at fault than the other parties. In practice, this means you must be less than 50% to blame.

The lawsuit itself won’t be much different. Every case turns on two areas of dispute: who is at fault for the wreck and the severity of your injuries.

If you win your case, the court awards you a judgment in your favor. Essentially, this is nothing but a piece of paper. At the Wetherington Law Firm, we can use certain techniques to get assets:

• Wage garnishment. If the defendant has a regular job, you can typically garnish up to 25% of wages to pay toward the judgment you received.
• Summons of garnishment against a bank account. The defendant might have an account with money in it, which we can seize.
• Property lien. We can record a lien—which is a right to payment—against any real estate owned by the defendant. We do this by filing a lien in the county where the real estate is located. We can also get a lien in place for personal property, like motor vehicles. This lien guarantees a right to payment if the defendant sells the asset.

If the defendant has absolutely no assets, you can try to renew your judgment in case he or she comes into money later.

No Insurance? No Problem.

If you’ve been involved in a wreck, the Wetherington Law Firm is the place to call. Our legal team has brought claims for all sorts of car accidents, and we can analyze your options if you reach out to us. Please call (404) 888-4444 to schedule a consultation.