Reader’s Question:

If I have been in a car accident and it is the other party’s fault, Can I sue the other driver’s insurance company and my insurance company in Atlanta GA?

Halley

Atlanta, GA

Typically there are provisions in your auto insurance policy about your ability to request arbitration or sue. You need to read through your insurance policy, and check if there are any evaluation provisions or special limitations to sue your own insurance carrier in Atlanta GA.

It is not necessary to sue typically in order to be properly compensated. Many states inact laws to limit lawsuits related to auto accidents. For instance, no-fault laws are created to guarantee person’s insurance policies cover them regardless of fault in an accident.

Most auto insurance claims are settled without using a lawyer in Atlanta GA. Parties involved in an auto accident may face civil liability, criminal liability or both. The state usually starts a prosecution only if anyone is severely injured or killed, or if one of the motorist involved was clearly grossly negligent or driving while intoxicated or otherwise impaired at the time the accident happened.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

We are starting our own business and we are trying to figure out what are the requirements for having business insurance on the vehicle in Marietta, GA.

Cook

Marietta, GA

The requirements for having business car insurance on a car may vary according to state laws and insurance provider guidelines.

You should select Business Use car insurance if your car is regularly used for occupational responsibilities, such as traveling between locations for business appointments or sales calls.

Usually with a business auto insurance policy the named insured is the business. Normally automatically included as insured’s are: employees; owners of borrowed cars; anyone using the business car with permission. A leasing company or bank with an interest in an insured car may be included as an additional insured.

Tags: Business Auto Insurance, Commercial car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I received a OUIL in Michigan almost five years ago and have had no violations since. I now live in Georgia, should I tell this conviction to an insurance company when applying for car insurance?

Sullivan

Athens, GA

Operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor or OUIL has now been renamed as OWI meaning operating while intoxicated.

In Michigan OWI is a misdemeanor unless charged as a 3rd offense within 10 years, in which case it’s a felony.

Now that you are living in Athens, Georgia an insurance provider can still access your Michigan driving history so you will need to tell this old conviction if asked for violations on your auto insurance application. If you do not mention this and the insurance provider finds out about this OWI then your car insurance quote would be inaccurate and need to be recalculated including this violation. If you have already received your car insurance policy and this offense is later found out about then it could be considered that you misrepresented your driving history which may be considered fraud.

Tags: auto insurance, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

In Macon, Georgia how much is a seat belt ticket?

Taylor

Macon, GA

The state of Georgia is a primary enforcement state, meaning that law enforcement officers are authorized to pull motorists over solely to issue a seat belt ticket.

If a child is not wearing a seat belt, the penalty is about a $25 fine. Children under the age of six are required to be in an weight/age appropriate child restraint or booster seat. The failure to belt a child under the age of six is around a $50 fine.

Generally fine amounts can vary according to the jurisdiction you are ticketed due to court costs, etc in so if you have been ticketed for driving without a seat belt I suggest that you contact the court listed on the ticket.

Tags: traffic violation