Picture this: you’re driving home in Georgia when another driver runs a red light and crashes into you. You’re shaken, your car is damaged, and the pain from your injuries are starting to set in. Then you hear the words no one wants to hear: “I don’t have insurance.”
It’s a scenario that leaves many drivers panicked. Who pays for your medical bills? What about the damage to your car? Are you stuck footing the bill for someone else’s mistake?
Take a deep breath. There are options.
Uninsured Drivers in Georgia
Even though Georgia law requires every driver to carry liability insurance, not everyone follows the law. Georgia consistently ranks among the states with the highest percentage of uninsured drivers. That means you could be sharing the road with drivers who don’t have the coverage necessary to pay for the harm they cause.
Georgia’s Minimum Insurance Requirements
Under Georgia law, drivers must carry at least:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
When an uninsured driver causes a crash, these protections don’t exist and will leave you financially vulnerable unless you’ve prepared ahead of time. Even if a driver is insured, there is a good chance they only carry the required minimum insurance coverage listed above which is not much coverage.
Read on to learn why our uninsured motorist lawyers at the Brodie Law Group recommend adding uninsured motorist coverage to your own policy.
How UM and UIM Coverage Protects You
Your best protection against uninsured or underinsured drivers is Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage added to your own insurance policy.
- UM Coverage: Steps in when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. It can cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.
- UIM Coverage: Applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your damages. For example, if your injuries cost $75,000 and the other driver only carries the minimum $25,000, your UIM coverage bridges the $50,000 gap.
UM/UIM coverage is optional in Georgia. Your insurance company must offer it, but many drivers decline it without realizing the consequences or how it can help.
Why Suing the Uninsured Driver Rarely Works
Some injured accident victims think they can sue the at-fault driver directly. While you technically can, most uninsured drivers don’t have the financial resources or assets to pay your damages even if you win in court. UM/UIM coverage shifts the responsibility from the at-fault driver to your own insurance company, giving you real protection when that other driver has none.
Steps to Take After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
If you’re in an accident and suspect the other driver is uninsured:
- Call 911 – Always get a police report, no matter how minor the accident.
- Document the scene – Take photos of the vehicles, roadway, and your injuries.
- Get the driver’s information – Even if they admit they have no insurance, collect their license number, contact details, and license plate.
- Report the accident to your insurance company – The sooner you notify them, the smoother the process.
- Contact a car accident lawyer – A Georgia accident attorney can explain your coverage and help ensure you don’t miss out on compensation you’re entitled to.
Common Myths About UM/UIM Coverage
- Myth: If the at-fault driver has no insurance, I’m stuck with the bills.
Truth: UM/UIM coverage can pay for medical bills, lost income, and more. - Myth: Filing a UM claim raises my premiums.
Truth: If you’re not at fault, your UM claim cannot increase your rates. O.C.G.A. § 33-9-40 (2024) - Myth: I can always sue the other driver.
Truth: Most uninsured drivers don’t have assets to cover your damages.
Protect Yourself Before It’s Too Late
The most important step you can take is to check your own policy today. Do you have UM/UIM coverage? If not, call your insurance agent and add it immediately. The small additional premium could save you from financial ruin after a crash.
If you’ve already been hit by an uninsured driver in Georgia, you don’t have to face it alone. At the Brodie Law Group, our uninsured motorist lawyers have helped clients in Macon, Milledgeville, Warner Robins, and across Middle Georgia navigate uninsured driver claims and maximize their UM/UIM coverage.
Our attorneys know how to deal with the insurance companies, when to push back, and how to fight for every dollar you deserve.
Contact the Brodie Law Group Today
An uninsured driver’s poor choices shouldn’t become your financial burden. If you’ve been hurt in a Georgia car accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, call the Brodie Law Group today for a free injury consultation.
We’ll review your case, explain your options, and protect your right to full compensation.
Call us now at (478) 239-2780 to get started.
