No Insurance on Their Side Doesn't Mean No Recovery on Yours
Being hit by an uninsured driver doesn't end your case — Georgia law gives you options, and we know how to use every one of them.
How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works in Georgia
Georgia has one of the highest uninsured driver rates in the country. When the person who hit you has no insurance — or not enough to cover what you've lost — your own auto policy may be your most important source of recovery. That coverage is called uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, and under Georgia law, insurers are required to offer it to every policyholder.
Here's what that means in practice:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance at all, or when they flee the scene and are never identified.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits aren't enough to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
- Add-on coverage allows your UM/UIM benefits to stack on top of the at-fault driver's policy — meaning you can collect from both. This is the broader, more favorable option.
- Reduced coverage offsets your UM/UIM benefits by whatever the at-fault driver's policy already pays — a critical distinction that affects how much you can actually recover.
Understanding which type of coverage you have, and how to maximize it, is exactly the kind of analysis we do before any claim moves forward.
If They Ran, You Still Have a Case
A hit-and-run feels like a dead end — the driver is gone, there's no name, no plate, no insurance to pursue. But under Georgia law, uninsured motorist coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents even when the at-fault driver is never found. Your own policy can still respond to your injuries, your vehicle damage, and your lost income.
What we do in hit-and-run cases:
- Identify all UM/UIM policies that may apply to the accident, including policies on other vehicles in your household
- Gather available evidence — traffic cameras, witness statements, nearby business footage — to support your claim
- File and manage the UM claim directly with your insurer on your behalf
- Push back when your insurance company attempts to minimize or deny what you're owed
The other driver left. That doesn't mean you're left with nothing.
$1,000,000
Rideshare Accident Verdict. Client was seriously injured in a collision involving a rideshare vehicle. The case proceeded to trial, and the jury returned a seven-figure verdict.
Your Insurance Company Is Not Working in Your Favor
This is the part most people don't expect. When you file a UM/UIM claim, your own insurance company becomes the opposing party. Their adjusters are trained to limit payouts — and they're counting on you not knowing your rights under your own policy.
We handle UM/UIM disputes directly, and when insurers refuse to pay fairly, we take cases to trial. That willingness to litigate is not something every firm brings to the table. Most personal injury attorneys in Georgia settle quickly because going to court is expensive and uncertain. The Foster Firm has been trying cases since 2004, and insurance companies know the difference between a firm that negotiates and one that actually shows up in a courtroom.
Who are the attorneys at The Foster Firm?
The Foster Firm is led by Keith Foster and his wife, [Second Attorney Name] Foster. Both are licensed personal injury attorneys in Georgia with over 20 years of combined practice at the firm. They handle cases personally and take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation.
Are The Foster Firm attorneys husband and wife?
Yes. Keith and [Second Attorney Name] Foster are a husband-and-wife attorney team who founded the firm together in 2004. This family-oriented structure means clients receive consistent, personal attention from the attorneys handling their case — not a rotating team of associates.
How long has The Foster Firm been in practice?
The Foster Firm was established in 2004 and has been serving personal injury clients in the greater Atlanta area for over 20 years. The firm has since expanded to serve clients in Douglasville and Columbus, Georgia.
Does The Foster Firm actually go to trial?
Yes. Unlike many personal injury firms that settle every case to avoid litigation, The Foster Firm regularly takes cases to trial. This willingness to litigate is a core part of how the firm secures stronger outcomes — insurance companies negotiate differently when they know your attorney will see them in court.
Who does The Foster Firm represent?
The Foster Firm represents injured adults throughout the greater Atlanta metro, including College Park, South Atlanta, and Douglasville, as well as clients in Columbus, Georgia. The firm has deep roots in the African American community in South Atlanta and College Park, and is committed to providing experienced legal representation to clients who have historically been underserved by the legal system.
What a UM/UIM Claim Can Cover
A successful uninsured or underinsured motorist claim can include compensation for:
- Medical expenses — current bills and future treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Property damage to your vehicle
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the coverage limits available across all applicable policies, and how the claim is built and presented. We identify every source of recovery before any number is put on the table.
We Serve Uninsured Motorist Clients Across Georgia
Uninsured and underinsured motorist accidents happen across every community we serve. Our primary office is located in College Park, and we also serve clients throughout the Atlanta metro and beyond.
Uninsured Motorist Claims: Common Questions
Does Georgia require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage?
Georgia law requires insurance companies to offer UM/UIM coverage to every policyholder, but drivers are not required to carry it. If you declined UM/UIM coverage when you purchased your policy, it may not be available to you. We can review your policy and determine exactly what coverage applies to your situation.What is the difference between add-on and reduced UM/UIM coverage in Georgia?
Add-on coverage allows your UM/UIM benefits to be stacked on top of whatever the at-fault driver's policy pays — so both policies contribute to your recovery. Reduced coverage offsets your UM/UIM benefits by the amount already paid by the at-fault driver's insurer. Add-on coverage is significantly more favorable to injured drivers, and the distinction can mean tens of thousands of dollars in your outcome.Can I file a UM claim if the other driver fled the scene and was never identified?
Yes. Georgia law treats hit-and-run accidents as uninsured motorist situations, which means your UM coverage can apply even when the at-fault driver is unknown. There are procedural requirements for how these claims must be reported and documented, and we handle that process for our clients from the start.What if my UM/UIM coverage limits are lower than my total damages?
You may be able to recover from multiple policies. If there are other vehicles in your household covered under separate policies, those policies may also provide UM/UIM coverage that applies to your accident — a process called stacking. We analyze all available policies before any claim is filed to make sure nothing is left on the table.Can I still pursue a UM/UIM claim if the at-fault driver had some insurance, just not enough?
Yes. That's precisely what underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is designed for. If the at-fault driver's liability limits are exhausted and your damages exceed what their policy covers, your UIM coverage can make up the difference — up to your own policy's limits. We handle both UM and UIM claims and can explain exactly how the numbers work in your case during a free consultation.
Talk to an Uninsured Motorist Lawyer in Georgia — Free Consultation
The Foster Firm has been representing injured Georgians since 2004. We handle UM/UIM claims from the initial policy review through trial if that's what it takes to get you a fair result. There are no upfront fees and no cost to speak with us — you pay nothing unless we win your case.