Car accidents happen in Ventura every day, so most drivers are aware of steps to take when one occurs. However, an uninsured or underinsured driver, or a driver flees the scene can throw a wrench in your plans. You may be wondering what to do next and who will pay for your damages, the uninsured motorist attorneys at Walch Law are here to answer your questions. We offer a free initial consultation to explain the process of a lawsuit and help you decide how to proceed. Contact Robert and Gary today to schedule your consultation – use their 40 plus years of success and 95+% success rate to your advantage to get the money you deserve.
Risks of Uninsured Motorists in VenturaVentura drivers legally must carry at least a certain level of auto insurance coverage in the event an accident occurs. Current penalties in California for driving without valid insurance can face anywhere from:
Though it may sound small, penalties and fees mean you pay close to $450 on a $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 and have no insurance, your license can be suspended for up to 4 years even if you’re not at fault.
However, despite these penalties, a staggering number of drivers ignore the law and drive without the insurance; in 2017 almost 1 out of every 8 drivers had none! Making matters worse, even if a driver has auto insurance, they may not have nearly enough coverage to pay for all the damages they caused. In Ventura, a city with busy streets located next to the massive, congested 101 freeway, at least 690 people were reported to have been injured or killed in car accidents in 2017 alone. Any one of these accidents – or any accident you find yourself in – could end up causing massive headaches and financial worries without the security of uninsured motorist insurance.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?The uninsured motorist coverage portion of your auto insurance policy means your insurer will pay your damages if the at-fault driver has no insurance to pay for injuries and property damage you and any passengers in your car suffered in a crash. Even after a hit-and-run accident where it’s impossible to obtain the other driver’s insurance information and pursue a claim through their insurer, many insurance companies’ uninsured motorist coverage will still cover damages their policyholder incurred.
California currently has no requirement driver carry uninsured motorist coverage. However, whenever you purchase an auto insurance policy in the state uninsured motorist coverage must be offered to you. This coverage will pay:
If you do not have this coverage, a Ventura uninsured motorist coverage lawyer may be able to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver or their insurer for damages from the car accident.
Underinsured Motorist CoverageMany uninsured motorist policies also include coverage for damage caused by underinsured motorists. An underinsured motorist is an at-fault driver whose insurance policy limits don’t cover the full extent of your damages. With underinsured motorist coverage, your insurer steps and pay some or all damages that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
Because California only requires that drivers carry insurance in the amounts of:
it shouldn’t be a surprise these amounts usually are nowhere near the total damages resulting from many accidents. Fender-benders alone can cost thousands of dollars; severe accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries or permanent disability can cost millions. Underinsured motorist coverage can help you feel you won’t be left holding the bag if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage.
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 Ventura uninsured motorist lawyers get in your corner and get the check and the closure you deserve.