My Car Was Stolen and Damaged in an Accident, Now What?

Your vehicle was stolen and suffered damage in a car accident, what actions do you need to take? You may have to file a claim with your own insurance policy to recover compensation to cover the damages. Even worse, in some unique situations, you may unfortunately be held financially liable for the damages the thief caused. It is important to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer at Joshi & Patel to understand your rights and responsibilities in this situation.

Property Damage Coverage in Georgia

Sometimes “physical damage insurance” may help pay for some of the damages to your vehicle in this situation. This type of insurance is “comprehensive” coverage  and pays for loss or damage to your own vehicle in the event of damage caused by theft, vandalism or fire and may cover your losses up to your personal policies limit.

In Georgia, you do not have to carry physical damage insurance coverage. However, if you have a loan or a lease on your vehicle, the bank or finance company often requires physical damage insurance.

How to Report a Stolen Vehicle in Georgia

In Georgia, if your vehicle is stolen, immediately report the theft to the police. The police will need the following information:

• The make, model and year of the car
• The vehicle license number
• The vehicle identification number (VIN Number)
• The name of whom the vehicle is registered under
• Last known location of the vehicle

Look around for any cameras (security and/or traffic) that may have recorded the theft. Be sure to obtain a copy of your incident report and provide a copy to your insurance company when you file your claim.

If you or a loved one has had a vehicle stolen that was involved in a car accident speak with an experienced car accident attorney at Joshi & Patel. 

At Joshi & Patel we offer a free case evaluation, no obligation consultation. Once it has been determined that you have a case, we will work for you on a contingent fee basis. In other words, you don’t pay your personal injury attorney fees up-front. Instead, you sign an agreement to pay us a percentage of your settlement amount. You pay us absolutely nothing unless you recover. 

**Many of our blog articles discuss the law. All information provided about the law is very general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Every situation is different, and should be analyzed by a lawyer who can provide individualized advice based on the facts involved in your unique situation, and a consideration of all of the nuances of the statutes and case law that apply at the time.