Uninsured Motorist Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney

California has the highest rate of uninsured motorists in the country, along with some of the most congested roads. You have a very real risk of colliding with drivers who are either uninsured or underinsured. Even a driver with the state-mandated minimum may have less coverage than you need after a serious accident with catastrophic injuries.

Fortunately, there are some options available to people who have been injured in accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. Your own insurance policy may cover the costs beyond what the other motorist can cover. Otherwise, a civil lawsuit might be the best way to seek compensation. In either of these situations, you should talk to an experienced Los Angeles auto accident lawyer to make sure your rights are protected.

When To Hire An LA Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, call NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, at (818) 305-6041. Your consultation is free.

Minimum Insurance Requirements in Los Angeles, California

In California, all drivers are required by law to have the following auto insurance coverage:

• $15,000 for bodily injury or death for one person, per accident
• $30,000 for bodily injuries or death for all people, per accident
• $5,000 for property damage to other vehicles, per accident

Anything beyond that level of coverage is optional, which means even insured drivers often have insufficient coverage to deal with a serious collision. In a crash where three people are seriously injured, they will have to share the $30,000 total injury coverage, which is likely to fall short of meeting their medical needs.

Uninsured/Under-Insured Motorist Coverage

By law, insurance companies in California must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UMC/UIM) coverage. UMC/UIM is optional and increases the cost of vehicle insurance, but it is recommended, as it can help cover costs that the other driver can’t.

This coverage usually matches your liability policy. So if you have $50,000 of injury coverage per person and $100,000 total coverage, the uninsured driver coverage offered will probably be 50/100 as well.

Civil Lawsuits and Liability

If you do not have UMC or UIM coverage, and you are in a collision with a motorist who lacks insurance, you may need to file a lawsuit against that driver. You should go to an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney to file your claim and make sure everything is done correctly. This is a complex legal process, so trying to win a lawsuit without a lawyer is a big mistake that can cost you in the long run.

One thing to keep in mind is that California has a “comparative fault” or “comparative negligence” standard when it comes to recovering money for a personal injury. Once a jury decides in your favor and awards you a verdict, the verdict will be reduced by any amount of responsibility you had in the collision – also decided by the jury. Even if you are found to have been mostly responsible for the crash, you can still receive compensation from a civil lawsuit!

Call Us Today!

Any crash can be expensive and frightening, but dealing with an uninsured motorist makes everything worse. You deserve to have a tough L.A. attorney who will fight for you and make sure your interests are represented every step of the way. After any crash in Los Angeles, call NOVIK LAW GROUP at (818) 305-6041 to talk about your options.