INJURED IN A CRASH WITH UNINSURED DRIVER IN LOS ANGELES
Injured in a crash with uninsured driver in Los Angeles? Highly skilled uninsured motorist attorneys at at Yerushalmi Law Firm will comfortably handle all the nuances and challenges resulting from such cases.
Everybody knows in California, if you are injured in a car accident due to someone else’s fault, then you are eligible to recover compensation for your losses from the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance. But what will you do, if the at-fault driver is uninsured? In this article our expert uninsured driver accident lawyers help you understand who’s considered as an uninsured driver and how you can recover compensation for your damages.
Uninsured Driver in California
An uninsured motorist (UM) is an at-fault driver who has no auto liability insurance, or whose insurance company denies the claim, or insurance company goes out of business while claim is pending. An unidentified driver in a hit-and-run case would also be considered an uninsured motorist.
Types of Uninsured Motorist Coverage in LA
Uninsured Motorist Coverage provides protection for a policyholder who is involved in a crash with a driver that has no liability insurance or whose risk caps are too small to account for all the losses.
In California, insurance providers are obliged to provide Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UMC) to all their policy-holders. They can opt not to buy it, but will be required to sign a form called waiver. The form says you have declined the offered coverage. Though not mandatory, it is a beneficial option to shield yourself and your family from unnecessary hassle if injured in a crash with uninsured driver in Los Angeles.
If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, given that you have uninsured motorist coverage, you may submit a claim with your own insurance company. This coverage comprises two different types:
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI): This covers you and everyone in the vehicle with injuries after an incident with an uninsured driver who is at fault. The limits are similar to the limits of your liability insurance i.e.15/30.
- Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD): This covers damages to the vehicle from a crash with a fault-ridden uninsured driver. The limit is $3,500. This only applies if the driver is identified as uninsured and if you don’t have collision coverage.
Damages Recovery in a Collision with Uninsured Driver
Injured in a crash with an uninsured driver? The uninsured motorist policy would cover both economic and non-economic costs, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. UM basically takes over as the uninsured at-fault driver’s insurance policy, and you get to negotiate a settlement with your insurer.
More than 15 percent of drivers in California are uninsured and are undoubtedly unable to pay crash costs for which they are accountable. People are generally unaware who is required to pay for losses if the at-fault driver in a car accident is uninsured. Such circumstances can get very difficult and traumatic for injured victims. Insurance providers are notorious for their refusal to pay the fair compensation, despite years of committed, on-time premium payments from policyholders. Thus, it’s vital to seek legal advice as soon as possible after the crash to ensure you are fairly compensated for your damages.
Los Angeles skilled and qualified uninsured accident attorneys at Yerushalmi Law Firm with their strong and aggressive advocacy ensure the recovery of justified compensation for the accident injury victims. Contact us for a free consultation today at (310) 777-7717
Ref: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/01-auto/auto101.cfm