When you get into an accident, it’s only natural to want more than just a quick fix. You want to be paid for any pain and suffering caused by the accident, your lost wages, any physical injuries you may have suffered, and so on. The good news is that if the other driver was at fault in the accident and their insurance company is not offering enough compensation, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them instead. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll take care of everything for you.

While insurance companies may want to resolve these cases quickly and fairly, real life is not always like the movies. If you are faced with a situation where your personal injury case could go to trial, you should seek experienced legal counsel. An experienced attorney can advise you of your rights and guide you through the process so that you receive full compensation from the insurance company.

Georgia Car Insurance Laws

Georgia car insurance laws require that all drivers use minimum liability insurance to operate motor vehicles on public roads and highways. This insurance coverage helps pay damages to others when you are at fault in an accident. This can help protect you when a person in the accident files a claim against you. The minimum amount of liability insurance Georgia law requires you to carry is:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per incident

In cases where the at-fault driver does not have insurance, the victim may have to seek compensation from the liable driver directly. This can be a difficult and time-consuming process. In addition, in many cases, the liable driver may not have the financial means to pay the full amount of damages. In such cases, the victim may have to seek alternative sources of compensation, such as filing a lawsuit against a third party or seeking compensation from their own insurance policy.

Georgia Auto Accident Laws

Georgia operates under a negligence-based car insurance system. That means there is typically one person who is determined to be at fault for an incident, and that party’s car insurance company will compensate injured individuals up to the amount of their liability coverage limit. The fault in an accident may be shared among several individuals, or it can fall on one person, with no fault assigned to other individuals.

Offer from the Insurance Company

Many people quickly assume that settling out of court is the best option—and it can be if the settlement offer is fair compensation for the injuries and damages sustained in the crash. Insurance companies often offer settlement offers as a way of reducing their liability. The negotiation process may seem harmless at first, but a settlement means that you are no longer able to sue the insurance company for additional compensation if your injuries have not healed properly. 

You are not obligated to accept the first offer an insurance company makes. If the amount does not compensate you fairly for your damages, you can reject it, negotiate for a new offer, or sue for further compensation in court by filing a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury attorney can be beneficial in the negotiation process. They can help you understand what your case is worth and how to achieve maximum compensation from the insurance company.

Speak to Our Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys

In the unfortunate event that you have been in an accident, you will want to ensure that the other party’s insurance company is paying for your damages. At Slappey and Sadd, our attorneys are well-versed with the insurance company’s tactics and will ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries. We will also handle any negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf so that you don’t have to worry about the process. If you would like more information about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve after an accident, please call us at 888-484-9616 or complete our free consultation form.