Don’t Be Fooled by “Tort Reform”

Presently, there is a big push by certain politicians here in Georgia, including the Governor, for “tort reform,” arguing that “frivolous lawsuits” are driving up auto insurance premiums.  Lawsuits are not what is impacting auto insurance premiums in Georgia and is nothing more than misinformation from lobbyists who are pushing the agendas of large corporations and insurance companies.  Don’t be fooled.  The reality is, annual auto insurance premiums in Georgia are about $200 higher than the national average but the data shows that Georgia drivers are nearly twice as likely to be in an automobile collision compared to the national average. Many of us in Georgia are all-to-familiar with the traffic congestion, speeding, and distracted driving all of which contribute to making our roads riskier than in neighboring states. This is the reason why premiums are higher in Georgia.

As part of their campaign, the politicians and insurance companies pushing “tort reform” will not tell you that large personal injury verdicts are not to blame and that in most every personal injury case the insurance company is given the opportunity to resolve the case for much less and within the insurance limits they provide.  However, instead of fairly compensating the victims, they roll the dice, often with frivolous defenses, in hopes of paying less to those injured. The insurance companies and their repeated failure to properly evaluate and compensate injured Georgians – out of greed – is what leads to large jury verdicts.

As the Georgia General Assembly tackles legislative issues this session, including possible “tort reform,” keeping up with these developments can shed light on how they might affect your rights and your wallet.

#CKandF #FightingToMakeItRight #TortReform #GeorgiaLegislation