California drivers are responsible for carrying legal minimums of insurance on their vehicles. Unfortunately, not everyone follows this law. If you’re injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may feel your options are limited, but contacting a California personal injury lawyer right away is crucial.
One of the most challenging aspects of being in an accident with an uninsured driver is that their lack of insurance often signals they may not have enough assets to make pursuing a lawsuit worthwhile. However, this is where hiring the right personal injury attorney can be extremely important for pursuing your case.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage
One of the best ways to protect yourself against the possibility of being involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist is to carry uninsured driver’s insurance. This auto insurance protects you financially if you were to be involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance. The goal of this coverage is to help pay for your lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and vehicle repairs when an at-fault driver does not have the appropriate insurance or assets to compensate you for your losses.
There are two different types of common uninsured motorist coverage in California. The first is known as uninsured motorist property damage. This pays for repairs to your vehicle if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver and your car sustains significant damage. This coverage in California, however, is only available if the authorities are able to identify the uninsured driver, so this can be problematic if you were involved in a hit-and-run accident.
The second type of uninsured motorist coverage is uninsured motorist bodily injury. This coverage will pay for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses for you and any passengers who are injured in an accident caused by a driver who did not have proper insurance. This also applies if you were a pedestrian struck by an uninsured motorist or if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver.
Review your auto insurance policy to see whether or not you’re carrying uninsured motorist coverage. It can be well worth the extra cost to give you the peace of mind about this situation. Although having uninsured motorist coverage can be beneficial for your personal injury case, it is important to remember that it is not the only factor that can determine the potential outcome of a personal injury claim. The extent of your damages and injuries, the legal representation you hire, and the circumstances of your accident will all play a role.
The Real Impact of Uninsured Accidents
Uninsured drivers in California and across the country cause approximately one out of every eight accidents nationwide, so it can definitely be to your benefit to carry uninsured motorist protection. And with California’s uninsured driver rate estimated to be at about 15%. This can be a significant risk for someone who is involved in an accident and has substantial medical costs or property damage.
How a Lawyer Can Help After an Uninsured Motorist Accident in California
If an uninsured driver strikes you in California and leaves you with the consequences, an attorney can help by evaluating your case, reviewing evidence such as witness statements, medical records, and police reports, identifying potential compensation sources such as PIP coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, or third-party claims, negotiating with insurance carriers to maximize your potential settlement compensation, and filing a lawsuit against the uninsured driver or other liable parties if necessary.
It is very time-consuming and complex to pursue a claim or lawsuit against an uninsured driver, but it may also be your only opportunity to recover the compensation you need to pay for your medical bills. Finding the right attorney can make a big difference in giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Make sure to gather evidence at the scene of the accident and keep track of all of your medical records and overall symptoms post-accident, as you would being involved in a crash with any other driver. The more information you have, the easier it will be to present this information to your insurance company as well as to your attorney.
Review Your Policy to Get the Right Coverage
Your insurance policy may still help cover your losses, depending on the type of coverage you have. This is why it is valuable to carry either uninsured motorist property damage coverage or uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. If you do not have UMPD or UM coverage, you may have to rely on other parts of your insurance policy.
For example, if you have collision coverage, this may help cover vehicle repairs, but you may still need to pay for your deductible. If you have been injured, you may need to use personal injury protection or MedPay to help cover medical bills, depending on state regulations and your policy.
Talk to our attorneys today to learn more about protecting your legal rights.
