On congested, busy streets in cities like Simi Valley it’s no surprise that distracted drivers, speeders, drunk drivers, and countless other situations result in accidents, injuries, and fatalities every day. However, when the other driver involved has no insurance, doesn’t have enough insurance, or flees the scene and you can’t exchange insurance, you may worry that you’re left holding the bag and paying for your own damages. We know this time can be stressful and confusing, but we’re here to help give you peace of mind. The Simi Valley uninsured motorist attorneys at Walch Law offer a no risk, no obligation initial consultation to answer your questions, explain the process of a lawsuit, and talk about your options. Call Robert and Gary today to take advantage of their over four decades of success and get started!!
Risks of Uninsured Motorists in Simi ValleyIn Simi Valley, like the rest of California, drivers are required by law to carry a certain minimum level of auto insurance coverage to protect themselves and others in the event of an accident. However, this is unfortunately not always the reality of the situation. In reality, in 2017 nearly 1 in 8 drivers did not carry any car insurance coverage at all – a number that alarmingly has been on the rise since 2010. Even in cases where a driver does have auto insurance, their coverage may not have high enough limits to cover damage and injuries in a wreck. In Simi Valley, 356 people were injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents in the same year nearly 12 percent of all drivers reported carrying no auto insurance coverage at all. The massive number of car accidents on busy Simi Valley highways like the 118 and streets like Tierra Rejada Road and prevalence of uninsured motorists means that any accident can easily result in a stressful financial situation for the victims.
Uninsured Motorist CoverageUninsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy means that your insurance company will pay if another driver doesn’t have insurance to cover injuries and/or property damage inflicted on you and any passengers in your car in the event of a crash. Many insurers will even pay after a hit and run accident where it is not possible for you to get the other driver’s insurance information and pursue a claim through their auto insurance policy.
California does not require you to carry this type of coverage, but when you purchase an auto insurance policy it must be offered to you. In California, uninsured motorist coverage pays medical expenses for you and your passengers, as well as property damage for property repairs up to $3,500 not covered under collision coverage. If do not have coverage to pay for your damages, a Simi Valley uninsured motorist coverage attorney may be able to hold the driver’s insurance company – or in some cases even the driver themselves – liable for your damages.
Additional Included Coverage Under Underinsured Motorist CoverageUninsured motorist coverage usually includes coverage for underinsured motorists. This means that if the insurance policy limits of the driver determined to be at fault for the accident won’t cover the full extent of your damages, your insurer will step in and pay some or all damages their insurance company refuses to. Because California only requires that drivers carry $15,000 in bodily injury coverage and $30,000 total for death or injury in any accident, it’s no surprise that these coverage figures don’t even begin to cover the damage sustained in a collision. Severe accidents that result in lifetime care needs or a permanent inability to work can incur damages hundreds of times past that limit. Without underinsured motorist coverage, you may bear these costs yourself.
Contact a Lawyer TodayAfter an accident with an uninsured driver, you may think you’re unable to afford an attorney because of the sudden financial burdens that have fallen into your lap. However, you can’t afford NOT to hire an attorney to get you the money you deserve. Rest easy- Robert and Gary Walch take all their cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing until we win your case and you get paid. We will fight for you to recover the largest amount of money possible so you can focus on recovering from your physical and emotional injuries and returning your life to normal. Call us today; our skilled team of Simi Valley uninsured motorist attorneys are ready to get in your corner and get you the money and the closure you deserve.