A car accident can be devastating. Add the fact that the other driver doesn’t carry insurance and you are adding insult to injury. Most people assume that the at-fault driver’s insurance will take care of the damages. That would happen every time if we lived in a perfect world. However, we don’t so your chances of encountering an uninsured driver are high.
Driving without insurance is considered a misdemeanor in Georgia and the offense is punishable with fines amounting to $1,000 and 12 months in jail. Unfortunately, this does not stop some drivers from foregoing proper auto insurance coverage. In fact, according to studies, 12 percent of Georgia drivers don’t have auto insurance.
Georgia is not a ‘no-fault’ state which means that you can file a lawsuit against an uninsured driver. Such cases are handled the same way any property damage or personal injury claims are handled. If you are successful, you will have the money you need to pay for damages not only for your car, but also for your medical bills, the wages you lost when you were recovering from the accident as well as the pain and suffering you endured.
In some cases, the court allows victims to sue for punitive damages. That will only be the case if the at-fault driver behaved recklessly, which lead to the accident (such as driving under the influence). Of course, these cases require substantial and unmitigated proof of said wrongdoing. The damages you sustained can be quite substantial and would exceed normal compensation.
In such cases, getting a judgment that can ensure all of the damages you suffered are covered can be a challenge, but not if you have an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner. Keep in mind that there is a reason why some drivers don’t opt for insurance. They don’t have enough finances or assets to fund it so chances are they will try to reduce the damages you can claim.
This is where a car accident lawyer can prove invaluable such as Shani O. Brooks. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident in Atlanta and the at-fault driver refuses to pay for coverage, he can aid you in getting the compensation you deserve. With over a decade of experience, he is the go-to attorney for contentious cases. Get in touch with him for a consultation today.