Approximately 1 in every 6 drivers in our country does not have auto insurance, according to a study from the Insurance Research Council. This statistic may be startling, but considering the current economic climate and our country's unemployment rate of 9.6% as of August 2010, it seems logical that motorists would cut costs in any way possible.

So even if you have responsibly purchased auto insurance and get in a car accident in Georgia with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you could receive little to no compensation for your injuries.

An Overview of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

There is one way to safeguard yourself against uninsured and underinsured motorists. That is with uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and it's an "extra" you can add on to your car insurance policy.

While some states require you to purchase UM/UIM coverage, in Georgia it is optional.
UM/UIM coverage typically covers you for the state's minimum liability rate, which in Georgia is $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury.

If you purchase UM/UIM coverage, even if you're in an accident with someone who is either uninsured or lacks sufficient insurance to account for your total injury expenses, you can still recover compensation.

Otherwise you're left with little recourse, even in the form of a Georgia personal injury claim. If the driver didn't have enough money to purchase insurance in the first place, chances are they won't be able to pay your medical bills either.

A Closer Look at Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage offers you a variety of benefits. For one, it covers you and your passengers' injuries if you happen to be in a car accident in Georgia with an uninsured motorist. In addition, uninsured motorist coverage can cover your family members even when they're traveling in other vehicles.

While many people think they don't need uninsured motorist coverage because they have health insurance, there are a number of things your medical insurance cannot cover.

Uninsured motorist coverage also accounts for:
 

  • pedestrian accidents;
  • hit and run accidents;
  • your lost wages at work (as a result of your injuries); and
  • your pain and suffering (as a result of your injuries). 


If you've recently been in a car accident in Georgia and you need help seeking compensation through your uninsured motorist coverage, or need help exploring your legal options, contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer.

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