Buying a new car is always something that many people look up to. Usually, many people tend to choose the best car after driving it a couple of times to know if it is the right fit for them now. However, there can be an instance of a car crash in Georgia during test driving.
In such a situation, you might be wondering who is liable to pay for the damages. Will your insurance cover the damages? There can be many questions coming into their minds. In this article, we will discuss the steps you should take if you get involved in a car crash during a test drive of the car.
Responsibility for the Accident:
First of all, just like in any car crash, the at-fault driver will be responsible for all injuries and damages. There is no exclusion for a driver who is test driving a car.
The laws remain the same even for the at-fault driver who is unaware of the car’s features. Therefore, you must know about the vehicle’s features and specifications before taking it out for a test drive.
In case you have a car crash in Georgia during the test drive, you can take the following steps for the safety of everyone:
- Call an ambulance if there is an injured person
- Take the details of the people involved in the accident
- Contact the law enforcement agencies to report the accident to them
- Take pictures of the sight and talk to the people who were there when the accident occurred
Insurance Coverage by your Provider
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, motor vehicles are the second biggest cause of hospitalizations and the major reason for the injuries and deaths in Georgia. The high number of accidents is why insurance providers create problems for many people.
However, your insurance provider will cover you for any test driving accidents. If you cause an accident during the test drive of the car, or if any person files a claim due to the injuries they sustained, your car insurance coverage will provide compensation for the losses that were sustained.
Insurance Coverage for the Other Driver:
If the other driver is responsible for the car crash in Georgia, the dealership will direct all the claims to their insurance provider. In case the at-fault driver does not have insurance coverage, the dealership will have to turn to fleet insurance to get compensation for their damages.
There is a good chance you won’t get to collect your claim if the other driver has no insurance. Nevertheless, you can ask your insurance provider to give you compensation if you have UIM coverage.
What to Do Before Going for a Test Drive?
It is vital to know about a few things to avoid a car crash in Georgia during your test drive. You can take the following steps to keep yourself and other people safe.
- Know about the features and the functions of the car before getting into it
- Make sure the brake and acceleration pedals are easily accessible to you
- Check all the mirrors to have a complete view of the car
- Hit the brakes a few times on the lot to know about the grip of the brakes
- Locate and use all of the buttons such as the wipers, indicators, etc.
- Steer the car to get an idea about the movement of the car and steering wheel before hitting on the road
How Can a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Help You in Such a Situation?
In case you get into a car crash in Georgia during test driving of a car, it is better to contact a reputable lawyer. They can look at all the aspects of your case and then guide your accordingly. A critical thing that your lawyers will ask is if you signed a liability waiver.
It is a waiver the dealership asks you to sign that holds you responsible for any accident. Therefore, you must be vigilant and avoid signing any such contract you don’t fully understand.
Avail the Services of the Best Georgia Car Accident Attorney for Your Case:
If you are involved in a car accident, it is best to hire a skilled and experienced Georgia auto accident attorney to deal with it. It will help you resolve your problems quickly as these cases can become costly and time-consuming.
Our lawyers at Joe Durham Jr., P.C have the skills and experience to manage these types of car crash cases. We will provide you with the best consultation regarding your case and guide you on each step.
