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A car accident can change your life in a split second. You may lose money not only on the vehicle’s value but also on medical bills for your injuries, especially when catastrophic.
However, as a car owner in Atlanta, Georgia, you must also own auto insurance. This insurance was designed for such occasions. So you can cover your financial losses in a car accident by filing a claim with your auto insurance company.
How auto insurance works
Every car owner must have minimum auto insurance. Insurance companies make their money by collecting money known as premiums from policyholders monthly. The amount you pay will generally reflect how much coverage you get. So if you’re a low-risk policyholder, you’ll pay a lower premium than a driver who has a more expansive policy.
However, insurance companies lose money when you get involved in a car accident. It’s like you keeping your money with them and then asking for it when you run into trouble. If you never run into trouble, you’d never ask for the money, which becomes their profit.
Related: 4 Benefits of Getting Car Insurance
How much compensation are you entitled to after a car accident?
There is no fixed amount when it comes to car accident insurance claims. But first of all, the insurance company will want to know who was at fault for the accident.
Note that Georgia is not a no-fault state. That means before an auto insurance company will pay for your injuries, you need to identify who was responsible for the crash.
If the other driver was at fault, you should file a claim with their insurance company. If you were at fault, your insurance company might not reimburse you. However, your insurance company may pay for the other driver’s injuries since you were at fault. This is covered by your minimum insurance, which every driver must have in Atlanta.
For your insurance company to reimburse you for your medical bills in Atlanta when you were at fault, you must have additional insurance.
What to do when the other driver was at fault?
If you believe the other driver caused the accident due to negligence, you have the legal right to file a personal injury claim against them. They will turn to their insurance to cover your medical bills, car wreck, and whatever pain and suffering you may have experienced.
But remember that auto insurance companies are businesses, so they are out for themselves. They would not want to pay you your fully deserved compensation if they can help it. Having an Atlanta personal injury attorney by your side is one of the best steps you can take at this time.
Your personal injury attorney will ensure you obtain the maximum compensation you legally deserve.
Why having a personal injury attorney is crucial after an accident
Preventing manipulation
As already mentioned, the insurance company may try to avoid reimbursing your full compensation.
Whether you’re filing your claim against your insurer or the other driver’s, the company will send an insurance adjuster to assess your situation. Since they work for the company, they will essentially look for any justification to reduce your claim amount or even deny their responsibility for it. Here, having a legal backup is crucial.
Your attorney will spot any manipulative or deceptive tactics used by the insurance adjuster. They can also negotiate with the company on your behalf.
In some cases, the company may ask you to write a statement. That isn’t always necessary, but they can find loopholes in your case from your statement. It’s advisable to have a lawyer guiding everything you say.
Filing a lawsuit
You or your driver’s insurance policy may not be enough to cover your entire loss. The law allows you to file a civil lawsuit against the driver for additional compensation not covered by the policy. Your attorney will be responsible for representing you in court.
Conclusion
Car accidents are undesirable. They can cause severe financial loss, but they do happen, and that’s why there is something called auto insurance. So, if you’re ever involved in one, you can recoup your losses on medical bills and damages. Get help from an attorney for the best outcome.