Uninsured or Underinsured Car Accidents in Sacramento
It’s been almost 10 years since California began requiring all automobile owners to purchase insurance. When you renew your registration every year, you must show proof of insurance, or your registration won’t be renewed. You would assume that every registered vehicle on the road is insured. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
If you or a loved one has been injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, things can get complicated. If the driver is at fault and uninsured, you will have to rely on your own uninsured motorist policy. If the driver is underinsured and the policy doesn’t cover all your damages, you will still have to rely on your own underinsured insurance coverage. If your insurance doesn’t include the proper uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you may be on your own. The best way to find out the settlement amount you’re entitled to is to contact our Sacramento car accident attorneys at Demas Law Group, P.C.
How California Defines an Uninsured Driver
An underinsured driver typically holds a liability insurance policy that provides the minimum amount of coverage allowed by California law. Such insurance provides up to $15,000 in medical expenses to an individual injured by another driver, and a maximum of $30,000 for two people or more. If that amount is not enough to cover the damages that have been caused by the accident, the responsible driver is said to be underinsured. In cases of catastrophic injuries, even a driver who has more than the minimum liability insurance coverage can be considered underinsured – since the insurance policy limits may not cover the full extent of the damage caused. It’s important to note that while the driver of the car that hit you may be underinsured, he or she may not actually own the car. If this is the case, the car owner’s insurance company may be responsible for compensating you – if the car owner has insurance.
Estimates of the number of uninsured drivers in California range from 15 percent to 25 percent. Why do these car owners choose to ignore the mandatory insurance law? Generally, the reasons are economic. Uninsured drivers are more likely to be driving a vehicle that is old and improperly maintained. Your chances of being hit by an uninsured driver may be higher than you think.
The Best Defense: Sacramento Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Most automobile insurance policies offer the option to purchase for a minimal price additional insurance that covers accidents caused by uninsured and underinsured drivers. Considering the number of such motorists on our roadways, it’s one of the wisest purchases an automobile owner can make.
Sometimes Even Having Insurance is Not Enough
Even if you do have uninsured motorist coverage in Sacramento, you may still have to fight with your insurance company in order to receive fair compensation for your damages. You may be the best customer the insurance company has ever had, but they’ll still fight you for every penny. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and they will attempt to blame the other parties involved in the accident rather than pay you the compensation required by your policy.
Accidents caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists can be very complex and expensive. Insurance companies often don’t play fair, which is why you need a reputable Sacramento car accident attorney from Demas Law Group, P.C., on your side.
