Your primary source of financial support after getting into an auto accident in California is supposed to be the liability insurance coverage held by the other person or people involved in the wreck. However, not every driver in the Golden State has enough insurance to cover all the losses a serious crash can cause. Even worse, some drivers violate California state law by driving without any auto insurance coverage at all.
Either way, the process of seeking compensation after uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Woodland Hills can work very differently from the recovery process after other types of wrecks. Fortunately, you have help available from a capable and aggressive auto accident attorney with getting the restitution you deserve no matter where it comes from. Call Valero Law Group today to get started on your claim.
What Does State Law Say About Uninsured Car Crashes?
California law requires all private motor vehicle owners to purchase and maintain a good-standing auto insurance policy providing at least $15,000 of liability coverage for a single person’s injuries, $30,000 for all injuries, and $5,000 for all property damage stemming from a single wreck. Starting on January 1, 2025, these coverage minimums will increase respectively to $30,000, $60,000, and $15,000, as a Woodland Hills attorney experienced with uninsured/underinsured car accident litigation can explain in more detail.
Some people may step around these requirements by obtaining a self-insurance certificate from the Department of Motor Vehicles, making a cash deposit with the DMV, or presenting proof of a surety bond with a company with a California business license. Notably, though, anyone who is not insured to the extent required by state law is ineligible to seek civil recovery for non-economic damages stemming from an auto accident, even if another person is 100 percent at fault for causing that accident.
Maximizing Financial Recovery After an Underinsured Driver Wreck
If someone is uninsured or underinsured to the point that their insurance cannot cover all losses caused by an auto accident in Woodland Hills which they were at fault for, any person injured in that wreck may be able to seek restitution directly from the at-fault party by filing suit against them directly. That said, people with little or no car insurance coverage generally tend to have little in the way of personal assets to put towards covering crash-related damages, so this approach may not be effective in every situation.
Fortunately, car insurance companies in California are required to include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in all standard auto insurance policies unless the policyholder specifically opts out of that coverage in writing. A qualified attorney can help determine whether this and other types of coverage provided through a crash victim’s own policy may provide them with additional compensation after a wreck caused by someone without insurance. Get in touch with our team to learn more about your options for recovery.
Discuss Recovery Options After an Uninsured/Underinsured Car Accident With a Woodland Hills Attorney
Getting hurt in a car crash that you did nothing to cause can be frustrating enough on its own, but finding out you cannot get the financial help you need from the at-fault motorist’s auto insurance can be infuriating. Fortunately, you have support available in this kind of scenario from legal professionals who know how to handle cases like yours and will do everything possible to ensure you get the best possible case result.
Uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Woodland Hills are never easy to handle, but you will have much better chances of getting paid what you need if you have a seasoned attorney by your side. Call today to learn more.
