Have you wondered what type of insurance Georgia drivers need?
Drivers in Georgia must have car insurance to drive on the state’s highways legally. Georgia car insurance laws protect drivers from sustaining uninsured injuries and property damage.
Unfortunately, Georgia drivers put themselves at risk each time they head out on a Georgia road. Thousands of car accidents take place in Georgia each year. Sadly, over 1,500 people were killed in Georgia car accidents in 2018.
Driving without car insurance can come with stiff penalties under Georgia's car insurance laws.
Here, we’ll look at 3 aspects of Georgia auto insurance laws.
- What are Georgia car insurance requirements?
- How does Georgia assign fault for a car accident?
- What are the penalties for not carrying insurance?
What Are Georgia Car Insurance Requirements?
Georgia car insurance laws require drivers to carry liability insurance. Georgia drivers must carry auto insurance that covers bodily injuries and property damage, in these amounts.
For bodily injuries liability, Georgia drivers must have insurance that covers:
- $25,000 per person and
- $50,000 per accident.
For property damage liability, Georgia drivers must have insurance that covers $25,000 per accident.
Liability insurance covers medical expenses, accident injuries, and repairs to another driver’s vehicle. These required amounts of insurance under Georgia insurance laws serve as minimum thresholds.
Drivers may choose to purchase additional insurance for additional coverage. In case another driver is uninsured, purchasing “uninsured motorist” insurance covers injuries and car repairs.
How Does Georgia Assign Fault for a Car Accident?
Georgia is a fault state for car accidents. This means that the driver who caused an accident is responsible for paying for the accident expenses. A fault state contrasts with a no-fault state, where each driver is responsible for a portion of their accident expenses.
In evaluating fault for a Georgia accident, Georgia uses a modified comparative fault basis. This means that the amount of expenses the “more at-fault” driver pays depends on the degree of fault.
For instance, a driver that was 60% at fault for an accident would pay up to 60% of your damages. A driver who was 90% at fault would pay 90% of your damages. You are responsible for the percentage of damages corresponding to your fault.
What Are the Penalties for Not Carrying Insurance?
Georgia auto insurance laws require all drivers to carry liability insurance. Choosing to disobey this requirement can bring penalties.
If you are involved in an accident without insurance, the other driver may be responsible for medical expenses and property damages. Without insurance, this means that the other driver may be sued and have to provide you with money to cover expenses from your accident.
Ignoring insurance requirements also brings criminal penalties. Georgia car insurance laws offenders face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year jail. You could also lose your license for up to 90 days.
Get Legal Assistance with Your Car Accident
If you’ve experienced a car accident, you may need legal assistance. At the Pritchard Injury Firm, we help car accident victims get compensation for their injuries and auto repairs.
We can answer your questions on auto insurance laws and how they apply to your case. Our caring attorneys protect our clients from insurance companies that try to shortchange victims.
While you focus on recovering, we fight to get you all the money you deserve. Give us a call for a free consultation, and talk with one of our expert Georgia car accident attorneys.