Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyer in Savannah, Georgia
When the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough, your own policy becomes the case.
Despite Georgia's mandatory insurance requirements, a significant number of drivers on Savannah's roads carry no insurance at all, or carry only the state's bare minimum liability coverage. When one of these drivers causes a serious crash, injured victims can be left with medical bills far exceeding what the at-fault driver's policy — or lack of one — can cover.
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage exists precisely for this gap. It's part of your own insurance policy, but that doesn't mean your insurer will pay a UM claim any more willingly than a stranger's insurer would. In many ways, these claims require even more careful handling, since you're negotiating against the company you pay premiums to.
Common Causes of UM/UIM Claims in Savannah
- At-fault drivers carrying no insurance at all
- At-fault drivers carrying only Georgia's minimum liability limits ($25,000 per person)
- Hit-and-run drivers who can't be identified
- Rideshare or delivery drivers with coverage gaps between app statuses
- Drivers with lapsed or canceled policies
- Catastrophic injuries that exceed any at-fault driver's policy limits
Common Injuries We See
- Any injury from a car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, or bicycle crash where the at-fault driver's coverage is insufficient
- Catastrophic injuries requiring long-term care beyond available liability limits
- Injuries requiring surgery, hospitalization, or ongoing treatment
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death exceeding available coverage
Local Context: What Makes Savannah Cases Different
We regularly see cases where a Savannah driver is seriously injured by someone carrying only Georgia's state-minimum $25,000 liability policy — an amount that rarely covers a single hospital stay for a serious injury. In these situations, we turn to the injured client's own UM/UIM policy to pursue the difference between what was owed and what the at-fault driver's insurance could pay.
UM/UIM claims are governed by both Georgia's two-year statute of limitations for personal injury (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) and the specific terms of O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11, which governs uninsured motorist coverage. Your insurance policy may also impose its own notice deadlines, making early legal guidance important.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
- Medical expenses exceeding the at-fault driver's policy limits
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- The full difference between UM/UIM policy limits and actual damages, where coverage allows
- Stacking of multiple policies in certain circumstances
- Bad faith claims against your own insurer if a valid UM claim is unreasonably denied
Insurance companies often move quickly to protect themselves after an accident. Evidence can disappear, memories fade, and legal deadlines apply. The sooner you speak with our office, the more we can do to protect your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C. for Your UM/UIM Claims Case in Savannah
We've represented injured Georgians for decades, and our Savannah office focuses on the specific roads, courts, and hazards that make Chatham County cases unique. We handle the insurance company, the paperwork, and the legal deadlines — you focus on recovering. There's no fee unless we win your case.