Understanding Your Car Insurance Coverage After an Accident

At 1Georgia Injury Lawyers, we bring over 100 years of combined experience to every case we handle. Our team is committed to helping individuals across Georgia receive the compensation they deserve after being injured. We understand the challenges you face and are always available to discuss your situation in a free consultation.

After a car accident, understanding your car insurance coverage is essential. The type of insurance you carry affects what expenses are paid, how much you may owe, and whether you can recover money for your injuries or damage. In Georgia, where traffic ranges from busy interstates to rural roads, knowing what your policy includes can make a major difference.

In this blog, we’ll explore car insurance coverage after an accident, what steps to take under Georgia law, and how working with an experienced Georgia car accident attorney can help you recover full compensation when insurance is not enough.

The Basics: Types of Car Insurance Coverage in Georgia

Understanding the types of car insurance coverage available in Georgia helps drivers prepare for the financial impact of an accident.

Liability Insurance

Georgia law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. This coverage pays for injuries and property damage when the policyholder is at fault in a car crash. Minimum limits in Georgia are $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This type of insurance does not pay for your own injuries or damage to your vehicle.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle after a crash, regardless of who caused it. This type of coverage helps pay for repair costs or replacement if your car is totaled. It is optional in Georgia but often required by lenders if you finance or lease a vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage not caused by a collision. It covers falling objects, theft, vandalism, fire, and weather events like hail or flooding. Drivers in Georgia who park outdoors or drive on rural roads may benefit from this coverage.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage protect drivers when the other party has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover the damage. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11) requires insurance companies to offer this coverage. It can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage after serious crashes.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

Medical payments coverage, also known as MedPay, helps pay for medical expenses after a car accident. It applies no matter who is at fault. It can cover ambulance fees, hospital visits, and other medical costs for you and your passengers.

Gap Insurance

Gap insurance is useful if you owe more on your loan than your car is worth. After a total loss, collision or comprehensive coverage pays the value of the car, but not what you still owe. Gap insurance helps cover the difference so you do not owe money on a car you can no longer use.

What to Do After an Accident: Step-by-Step with Georgia Law in Mind

Taking the right steps after a car accident helps protect your health, your rights, and your car insurance coverage.

Check for Injuries and Call 911

Check yourself and others involved in the crash for injuries. If anyone is injured or if there is significant property damage, call 911 immediately. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273) requires drivers to report accidents that involve injuries or more than $500 in damage.

Move to a Safe Location

If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to avoid further collisions. Use hazard lights to alert other drivers. Staying in a dangerous position on the roadway can increase the risk of more damage and injuries.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, license number, and insurance details. Also gather contact information from any passengers or witnesses. This information will be necessary when you file an insurance claim or speak with a car accident lawyer.

Document the Scene

Take clear photos of all vehicles involved, license plates, damage, skid marks, road signs, and the surrounding area. Document injuries and the location of the crash. This visual evidence helps support your case with the insurance company and may be important in serious crashes or legal disputes.

File a Police Report

Ask the responding officer for a copy of the accident report or the report number. A police report provides an official account of the crash and can help prove who was at fault. Insurance companies often require this document before processing a claim.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company as soon as possible. Report the accident and provide accurate details. Be honest, but avoid admitting fault. Early reporting ensures your insurance coverage is active for medical expenses, property damage, and repair costs.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, do not appear right away. Prompt medical care creates a record of your injuries, which supports your claim for compensation.

How Car Insurance Coverage After an Accident Helps You

Car insurance coverage helps pay for different expenses after a crash, depending on the type of policy and who is at fault.

Medical Bills and Hospital Costs

If you are injured in a car accident, your policy may help cover medical expenses. Medical payments coverage (MedPay) can pay for ambulance fees, emergency room visits, surgery, and follow-up care. If the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance should cover your medical costs. If they have no insurance or not enough, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help.

Vehicle Repair or Replacement

Collision insurance covers damage to your car after a crash, no matter who caused it. If your car is totaled, your insurance company pays the actual cash value of the vehicle. If you only have liability insurance, you may not receive anything for your own car. If another driver caused the wreck, their insurance should pay for repairs.

Property Damage

Car insurance also covers damage to property other than your car. This includes fences, signs, mailboxes, or buildings damaged during the crash. Liability coverage is the part of the policy that pays for this type of damage when you are at fault.

Lost Wages and Pain and Suffering

If you miss work because of your injuries, you may be able to claim lost wages. If the other driver is responsible, their liability insurance should pay for income lost due to the accident. You may also seek compensation for pain, emotional stress, and lasting physical problems, but these often require help from a car accident attorney to recover fully.

Dealing with the Insurance Company: Challenges and Tactics

After a car accident, working with the insurance company can be difficult, especially when money and fault are involved.

Delayed Responses and Denied Claims

Many drivers face delays when filing an insurance claim. Some insurance companies take weeks to respond or deny valid claims. These delays can increase stress, especially when you need help paying medical bills or repairing your vehicle. If your claim is denied, ask for the reason in writing and review your policy details.

Low Settlement Offers

Insurance companies often make low offers early. These may not cover all your repair costs, medical expenses, or lost wages. If you accept too soon, you may give up your right to more compensation later. It is important to know the full cost of your injuries and property damage before agreeing to any payment.

Disputes Over Fault

Fault affects how much your insurance covers and whether you can claim against another driver’s policy. If the insurance company argues that you were mostly at fault, your compensation may be reduced or denied. In Georgia, if you are found 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. This rule is part of Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33).

The Importance of Documentation

Keep records of everything related to your accident. This includes the police report, medical bills, repair estimates, and any messages with the insurance company. Clear documentation helps prove your case and supports your claim for fair compensation.

Getting Legal Help When Needed

If you are injured, facing delays, or offered too little money, a car accident lawyer can deal with the insurance company on your behalf. An attorney can protect your rights, review your insurance coverage, and help you avoid paying out of pocket for someone else’s mistake.

Contact an Experienced Georgia Car Accident Attorney Today!

If you’ve been involved in a car accident and are unsure what your insurance covers or how to deal with the insurance company, our team at 1Georgia Injury Lawyers is here to help. We understand Georgia’s insurance laws, and we know how to handle serious crashes, denied claims, and low settlement offers.

Contact us at 678-635-9939 for a free case review today!