Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers in Beverly Hills
The State of California, under Insurance Code Section 11580, made it mandatory for all vehicles driving on public roads to have liability insurance. However, it’s now common for drivers to operate vehicles that have little to no insurance. In case an accident occurs, such drivers will not be able to compensate the injured party for the damage or injuries caused to them. These situations call for a specialized Beverly Hills injury lawyer from Setareh Law to help you find a way forward.
What Do Underinsured and Uninsured Mean?
Both terms are assigned to an insurance policy or an addition to your insurance coverage that protects you should you be involved in an accident with a driver who does not have auto insurance. However, they differ in important ways.
Uninsured means the vehicle does not have an insurance policy attached to it. An underinsured vehicle, on the other hand, has insurance, but the amount for which the vehicle is insured is not enough to cover the cost of injuries or damages it may have caused.
California law makes it mandatory for auto insurance policy providers to bundle uninsured motorist coverage with every offer they make. The only way a person cannot have this coverage is if they choose not to have it, and explain so in writing. It is quite important to ensure you never sign such a waiver; otherwise, you may not have such coverage.
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Which Scenarios Can Lead to A Claim?
The simplest circumstance of a claim occurring is if you get into an accident with a driver who hasn’t insured their vehicle. You’ll have to be able to prove that the uninsured driver hit you and that you had not been a factor in the other driver striking your vehicle. Your car accident claims attorney will verify whether the offending driver has insurance and make a claim to your own provider for the damages.
The other scenarios include where the vehicle that caused damage is underinsured. In this case, the indemnity provided to that vehicle has to be exhausted first, then your insurance will cover the remainder. You can also file this claim in case you were involved in a hit-and-run and reported the accident to the authorities.
What Would You Need to Make a Claim?
As with any claim, the first step is to get yourself a competent personal injury attorney. It is the work of your attorney to gather all the necessary paperwork to make a successful claim. Some necessary documents include:
- Medical records of the treatment for injuries sustained, as well as for future medical treatment options such as surgeries, medication, and physical therapy.
- Particulars of damage you may have sustained, like destroyed property and cost of vehicle repairs.
These documents are essential for making a settlement demand, whether for an uninsured or underinsured motor vehicle claim. If the parties involved in the claim cannot agree on the compensation amount, the matter goes to arbitration, where discovery is conducted and an arbitrator will decide on the award.
Contact The Experienced Beverly Hills Personal Injury Lawyer at Setareh Law Today
If you have been involved in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist, the legal process can become overwhelming quickly. Our English- and Spanish-speaking team will fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. To discover how we can help you with your claim, call us at (559) 354-2298 or use the contact form on our website.
