Uninsured Car Accident Lawyers
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Uninsured Car Accident Lawyers
Uninsured Car Accident Lawyers
If you’re hit by an uninsured motorist in California, contact our experienced car accident attorneys to see how you could recover compensation for your injuries suffered.
Car accidents could be a very traumatic experience. If you or a loved one have been a victim in a car accident in California caused by another’s negligence, you have the right to hold the third party liable for your injuries. Usually, in the majority of instances, many drivers have insurance. When drivers get into an accident, the victims are able to receive compensation from the insurance companies. But what happens if you are injured in an accident with an uninsured driver? Our top-rated car accident attorneys are here to help.
Our experienced car accident attorneys have decades of practice representing victims involved in car accidents with other parties who are uninsured. We believe that no person should have to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that were caused by another party. Contact us today for a free no risk consultation. During this consultation, we will discuss your specific case and how you could seek recovery for your injuries. Uninsured driver accidents could involve a lot of complex claims, that is why a top-rated attorney will be able to assist you when filing the lawsuit.
We understand that being involved in an accident with someone who may not have car insurance could be a very stressful situation. It leads many to wonder what they could do next, and where they could seek compensation for their injuries. Our car accident attorneys have decades of experience negotiating with insurance companies, and understand the different hurdles we must have to jump through in order to ensure you get the compensation that you deserve.
What is an uninsured motorist?
An uninsured motorist is a driver in California who does not have any type of car insurance. Although it is required by law, many people choose not to get car insurance. Many may forget to renew their insurance; others may cancel their insurance simply because they cannot afford it.
What is an underinsured motorist?
An underinsured motorist is a driver who does have an insurance policy, but the insurance policy is very low and does not pay for the entire amount of damages caused.
California Insurance Laws
In California, all drivers must have up-to-date and valid insurance coverage. This is specified under California Vehicle Code Section 16020. All drivers must carry some form of identification specifying their insurance group policy, along with their car registration.
- In California, bodily injury liability needs to cover at least $15,000. Bodily injury liability will increase up to $30,000 if multiple parties were involved.
- In California, the minimum property damage liability is $5,000 for any property damage. This includes damage done to any vehicle in an accident.
Car insurance is meant to protect drivers who have been injured on the road. Those who do not have any type of car insurance are driving illegally on the streets. Uninsured drivers could face very severe consequences in court. Although all drivers must have insurance when driving in California, so many people choose not to purchase insurance. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, 1 in 8 drivers in America do not have car insurance.
What can I do if I have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver?
Fortunately, for residents who live in California, there are several steps the drivers may take if they have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.
- In California, insurance companies offer extra uninsured motorist coverage. This means that as a driver you will have to pay additional costs to make sure that your medical bills and property damage bills are reimbursed by your insurance company if you were to get involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver.
- You may also be able to file a civil lawsuit against the uninsured driver. However, many people choose not to purchase insurance simply because they cannot afford it. That is why there is not a high chance you will not recover compensation from the uninsured driver.
What kind of compensation can I recover?
You can recover different types of compensation depending on the circumstances of the accident and who you are filing a lawsuit against.
You will be able to collect a variety of damages from your insurance company, including:
- Property damage: this refers to any vehicle damage and/or damage done to your house
- Medical bills
- Past lost wages
- Future lost wages
If you decide to pursue a legal claim against the uninsured driver, you may be able to seek compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
How To Prove an Uninsured Motorist Claim
If you are ever in an accident with an uninsured motorist, there are several different types of elements that your personal injury attorney must have to prove in order to receive compensation from your insurance company. In order to recover compensation, your personal injury attorney will have to show:
- The value of your losses: this is measured by looking at the property damage, medical bills, and the severity of injuries suffered
- The other party’s insurance policy
- The other party drove negligently and caused the accident. In order to prove negligence, your personal injury attorney will have to show that the other party had a duty to drive in a reasonably safe manner, yet failed to do so and caused the accident and injuries.
There are several elements that a personal injury attorney will have to prove when filing an uninsured motorist claim. It’s very important to hire an experienced personal injury attorney to make sure that your rights are adequately represented.
California Underinsured Motorist Policies
Underinsured motorist insurance policies will pay the difference between the other driver’s insurance policy and the damages that you have suffered. For example, if you have sustained $100,000 in damages in medical bills, and the other driver only has an insurance policy that pays $25,000, you will be able to file an underinsured motorist claim against your own insurance company for the difference. To determine if you qualify for underinsured motorist policies, contact our personal injury attorneys today.
Why should I hire an uninsured motorist accident attorney?
Insurance companies will always try to downplay their liability. For example, they will try to find a loophole in order to prevent paying out insurance policies. In circumstances like this, it is very important to have legal representation so others can advocate for your rights. If you do not have adequate legal representation, insurance companies and adjustors, whether they are from the third party or your very own insurance company, will try to take advantage of your accident and try to get statements from you that could be incriminating.
Different ways in which insurance companies could take advantage of you are:
- Denying that the other party was uninsured or underinsured
- Questioning liability in the accident in order to place the blame on you instead
- Questioning the medical bills suffered and arguing for other cheaper alternatives you could have taken to be treated
- Questioning the pain and suffering that you have experienced from the accident
- Reducing the settlement amount simply because their policy does not cover these injuries
- Questioning the cause of the injuries suffered
Contact Our Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyers Today
Our car accident attorneys fight aggressively to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve. We have collected around $300 million for our clients. We have received a variety of compensation for our clients, including medical bills, property damage, etc.
If you or a loved one have been hit by an uninsured driver, contact our attorneys today to schedule a free no obligation consultation.