Dealing with the Other Drivers on the Road
None of our clients ever asked to be involved in a car collision. Even if the other driver is found fully at fault for a collision, that does not mean that you are fully protected from the troubles ahead. Common problems you may face include: (1) the other driver has little to no liability insurance coverage; (2) large and/or outstanding medical bills; (3) the insurance company is taking forever to repair your vehicle; and (4) being left still having to pay back a loan for a car that you are no-longer able to drive. Below are different insurance coverages that we recommend that have helped protect our clients and can help protect you from that collision you did not ask for.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
Georgia law requires drivers to have a minimum $25,000.00 liability auto coverage policy. However, about one in eight drivers do not carry car insurance, according to a recent study by the Insurance Research Council. What can you do when you have been hit by another driver that has little to no liability insurance? UM coverage serves as your most important line of defense to this problem, especially for those of you without full or partial health insurance. UM coverage is there to help pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and any additional compensation that the uninsured or underinsured was legally obligated to pay you. You want to make sure that you sign up for the “Add on” coverage as “Reduced by” coverage can limit the amount of money that may be available to you depending on compensation you may have already received from the other driver’s insurance policy.
- Medical Payments Coverage
Medical Payments Coverage (also known as “Med Pay”) is coverage available to you and your passengers to help cover any medical treatments and services needed after a collision, regardless of who caused the incident. Med Pay can be used to help cover you from any out-of-pocket expenses such as copays.
- Collision Coverage
Collision Coverage is there to help you cover your vehicle property damage costs when you are at fault for a collision with another driver or object (such as a pole or mailbox) or are hit by uninsured, underinsured or unidentified driver.
- Gap Coverage
Gap Coverage is recommended for anyone who buys and finances a new car. When you drive a new vehicle off the car lot, the actual or “fair market” value of your vehicle drops dramatically meaning the actual cash value of your car is lower than the amount you owe on your loan. This is important to note because when you are involved in a collision – and the other party is found 100% responsible – the insurance company is only legally responsible for the fair market value or actual cash value of your car at the time of the collision and you are left having to pay the remainder of the loan. Gap insurance covers the “gap” between the fair market value of your car that the insurance company paid and the remainder on the loan, protecting you from unwanted debt on a totaled vehicle.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
Even when you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the unpredictability of other drivers, the insurance company can be just as unpredictable by trying to deny or underpay your settlement claim in an effort to save money. The insurance company, in an attempt to avoid paying you a fair settlement, will try to question the severity of the collision and your resulting injuries or the validity of the medical services provided.
The best way to protect yourself from the unpredictability of the insurance company is to speak to a personal injury law firm that has experience in protecting their clients from these tactics used by insurance companies. Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys can help you. Here at Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, our lawyers have years of experience protecting and fighting for the rights of our clients. With a long track record of success, our firm knows what it takes to get you a good outcome. We work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. If you’re ready to get started, contact us.