Bodily injury liability provides coverage up to the policy limits. In Georgia, the minimum auto insurance requirements for bodily injury liability are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. But some drivers have limits above these minimums.

Property Damage Liability Coverage

The drunk driver’s property damage liability coverage should cover your property damage costs, including:

  • Cost to repair your vehicle
  • Value of your vehicle if it is declared a total loss

The minimum property damage liability coverage in Georgia is $25,000, but some policies have higher limits.

Your Options if the Drunk Driver’s Auto Insurance Does Not Fully Cover Your Damages

If the drunk driver does not have auto insurance or your damages exceed the drunk driver’s policy limits, you still have some options to get compensation for your damages.

Talk to your lawyer about all the insurance coverage that may be available to you following a drunk driving accident.

Here are some of the insurance coverage that may cover your injuries:

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can help if you bought this coverage as part of your auto policy. Your uninsured (UM) coverage can pay your damages if the at-fault driver has no auto insurance.

If the drunk driver has inadequate coverage and you bought underinsured (UIM) coverage, UIM coverage can help pay your losses that exceeded the drunk driver’s policy limits.

Medical Payments Coverage

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage is an optional type of auto coverage. It can pay some of your medical expenses regardless of fault.

Collision Coverage

Your collision coverage can help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it was damaged in the wreck. Collision coverage comes with a deductible which varies depending on your policy.

Your Health Insurance

Your health insurance might help you pay medical bills. If you later recover compensation in an insurance claim or lawsuit against the drunk driver, your health insurance may try to recover part of your settlement or judgment.

See our article on paying medical bills while waiting for a personal injury case to resolve to learn more about health insurance and other options that may be available to you after an accident.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

Your lawyer may pursue a lawsuit against the drunk driver. Discuss this possibility with your lawyer. To get a free consultation about your case, call 404-474-0804.

Recoverable Damages for Drunk Driving Car Accidents

Recoverable damages for a drunk driving accident depend on the available insurance coverage, but common recoverable damages include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Decreased earning potential
  • Disability and disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Talk to a lawyer at our firm about your case and the damages for which you may recover compensation. Get a free consultation about your case by calling 404-474-0804.

What Happens if You Were Partly at Fault for a Wreck With a Drunk Driver

You can still recover damages if you were no more than 49 percent at fault for the accident. 

Georgia follows the rule of modified comparative negligence, which reduces your compensation in proportion to your percentage of the fault, but bars you from getting any compensation if you were 50 percent or more responsible for causing the accident.

So, if the drunk driver was 90 percent at fault, but you were 10 percent at fault, you can get 90 percent of your damages.

Get Help With Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim

At the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, PC, we do not charge for your initial consultation, and we do not charge any attorney fees unless you recover compensation.

Call us today at 404-474-0804 for a free consultation if you were in an accident caused by a drunk driver.

Jason R. Schultz
Helping Georgia area residents with car accident, medical malpractice, and personal injury claims since 1991.