Motorcycle accidents are deadly and damaging for all parties involved in them. If a motorcyclist caused your accident and has left you with several injuries and damages, you can compensate for them at their expense. But what happens if the motorcyclist is uninsured?
Don’t lose hope. There are several ways you can receive compensation, even if the negligent driver is uninsured or under-insured. Our Smyrna uninsured motorcycle accident lawyers can help you get the settlement you deserve. Call (404) 341-6555 to schedule a free consultation.
Uninsured Motorists Ride Throughout Georgia
The Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) requires all Georgia drivers with a registered vehicle to purchase insurance. Even though this is a requirement, plenty of drivers and motorcyclists throughout Georgia ride without insurance.
This can cause a host of issues should an accident occur. Because they cannot cover your damages, you get left with the total cost of an accident you didn’t even cause. You should always retain a lawyer after an accident to help you figure out precisely what you can do to still obtain compensation.
What Happens if the Motorcyclist Is Uninsured?
You can still receive compensation in two ways.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
You can seek compensation through your insurance policy if you pay for uninsured motorist coverage. With this, your insurance will pay out to help cover all of the expenses and damages you sustained due to your accident. As long as your accident wasn’t your fault. Your insurance premiums will not rise.
Compensation Through Punitive Damages
Say the motorcyclist responsible for your accident was drunk at the time. This could allow you to recover an award for punitive damages. You shouldn’t think of punitive damages as a form of compensation. Instead, they are a form of punishment against the at-fault party responsible for an accident.
So, if your case qualifies, we will help you seek out an award for punitive damages. While there’s no guarantee that your case can receive them, we will do our best so you can at least get some compensation that way.
What Happens if None of the Above Apply to Me?
If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage or if your case doesn’t qualify for punitive damages, don’t lose hope. Every case is different and has different circumstances. Our lawyers have years of experience and have extensive knowledge of traffic and personal injury law. We will thoroughly review your case and see if there are other ways to help you get your damages covered.
Beware of Insurance Companies
Insurance companies, even your own, can be extremely uncooperative. Remember, insurance companies are a business first above all else. They’re not there to provide you with empathy and money after an accident.
When it comes to negotiating with an insurance company, they will always try to find some way to shift the blame towards you or pressure you to settle for less. The last thing they want is to give you the proper amount of compensation you rightfully deserve.
Comparative Fault in Georgia
Georgia has comparative fault laws when it comes to personal injury and traffic accidents. If you were more than 50% responsible for your accident, you can’t file a claim to recover a settlement. If you are less than 50%, you can file a claim, but whatever percentage you are found liable for gets deducted from your settlement.
Comparative fault is one of the main reasons why you should have a lawyer help you with your claim. Insurance companies and the defense will often try to put most of the blame on you, so you can’t file, or you get an extremely reduced settlement amount. Our lawyers can assist in preventing this from happening by helping you build a strong case for your claim.
Statute of Limitations
Remember to adhere to the statute of limitations when you file a claim. Regardless if you file a claim against the uninsured party or with your insurance, you have two years before it expires. Once you pass the two-year mark, there may be nothing you can do to obtain compensation.
Don’t find yourself in a situation where you have to scramble and work fast to file your claim. Take your time to build a strong case by getting started today. The lawyers at our law firm will help guide you through each step of the process.
Talk to Our Smyrna Uninsured Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you are in Smyrna and need help getting compensation after an uninsured motorcyclist caused your accident, call us today at (404) 341-6555. We are here to help you get the best settlement possible. We offer a free consultation at zero risks and obligations to you.
