It’s no surprise that car accidents happen in Studio City every day, and most drivers know what to do after an accident. However, if another driver is uninsured, underinsured, or flees the scene, you may be wondering what to do next and who will pay for your damages. We know you may be confused, but Robert and Gary are here to answer your questions. The Studio City uninsured motorist attorneys at Walch Law offer a free initial consultation to explain the process of a lawsuit and talk about your options. Contact Robert and Gary today to schedule your consultation and use their over 40 plus years of success and 95+% success rate to get the money you deserve.
Risks of Uninsured Motorists in Studio CityStudio City drivers are legally required to carry a minimum level of auto insurance coverage in the event an accident occurs. Current penalties in California for driving without valid insurance can face anywhere from a $100 to $200 first offense fine, while a second offense is a fine of $200 to $500. Though this may sound low, with penalties and fees you may pay closer to $450 on that $100 fine. You may also face impound of your vehicle and be unable to retrieve it until you pay towing fees, storage fees, and obtain insurance. If you’re involved in an accident without insurance, your license can be suspended for up to 4 years – whether or not you were at fault.
However, despite these penalties, a staggering number of drivers drive without the legally required insurance; in 2017 almost 1 out of every 8 drivers did not carry any car insurance! Even if a driver has auto insurance, they may not have enough coverage to pay for all damages and injuries caused in a wreck. In Studio City, hundreds of people are hurt or killed in motor vehicle accidents each year on busy city streets and the nearby 134, 405, and 101 freeways. Any one of these accidents could find you facing an uninsured driver and put you in a difficult financial situation without uninsured motorist insurance.
Uninsured Motorist CoverageUninsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy means your own insurance company will pay your damages if another driver doesn’t have insurance to cover injuries and property damage inflicted on you and any passengers in your car in the event of a crash. Even 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, many insurance companies will still pay.
It may surprise you to know that California has no requirement that you to carry this type of coverage. However, whenever you purchase an auto insurance policy in the state uninsured motorist coverage must be offered to you. This insurance coverage will pay medical expenses for you and your passengers, as well as property damage for property repairs up to $3,500 that are not covered under collision coverage. If there is not active coverage that will pay for your damages, a Studio City uninsured motorist coverage lawyer may be able pursue a lawsuit against the other driver or their insurance company for damages.
Additional Included Coverage for Underinsured MotoristsMany uninsured motorist policies also include coverage for damage caused by underinsured motorists. An underinsured motorist is an at-fault driver whose insurance policy coverage limits do not cover the full extent of your damages in an accident. With underinsured motorist coverage, your insurer will step in and pay some or all damages that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy.
Because California only requires that drivers carry:
it should come as no surprise that this amount coverage often does not come close to covering the total damages caused by collision. Even minor fender-benders can cause thousands in damage; severe accidents resulting in a lifetime of medical treatment, lifelong care needs, or permanent inability to work can easily cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Without underinsured motorist coverage, you may bear these costs yourself if you are unable to successfully sue the at-fault motorist for negligence and recover damages that way.
Contact a Lawyer TodayIf you were injured in an accident caused by a driver who has little or no car insurance, you may think you’re can’t afford an attorney thanks to the sudden financial concerns you may face including inability to work, mounting medical bills, or costly vehicle repairs. Robert and Gary understand this concern, so they take all their cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing until after you get paid. Let us fight for you to recover the largest amount of money possible as quickly as possible so you can get some peace of mind about your financial future. Call us today and let our skilled team of Studio City uninsured motorist lawyers get in your corner and get the check and the closure you deserve.