The Official Injury Attorneys of the San Francisco 49ers
Oakland Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
Anytime a car crash happens, it is critical to begin the process of seeking compensation as soon as possible. At Venardi Zurada, we know that it can be difficult to know where and how to get started on a motor vehicle accident claim even if you have clear evidence that the other driver was at fault and both you and the negligent driver have up-to-date insurance. This process can become significantly more complex when the collision involves an uninsured driver. To be clear, California law requires all motorists to carry valid liability insurance in the event of a crash, yet there are nonetheless many drivers on the road without insurance or with a lapsed policy.
If you were injured in a collision caused by an uninsured motorist, a dedicated Oakland uninsured motorist accident lawyer at our firm can help you to seek the financial compensation you deserve.
Uninsured Drivers and Auto Insurance in Oakland, California
California law requires all drivers to carry minimum bodily liability and property damage liability coverage in the following amounts:
- $15,000 for one person in a single accident;
- $30,000 for two or more persons in a single accident; and
- $5,000 property damage coverage.
In requiring drivers to have a minimum of these amounts in liability coverage, California law seeks to ensure that an injured party can file a third-party claim through an at-fault driver’s insurance company in order to obtain financial compensation. Yet when an uninsured driver causes a collision, the injury victim cannot file a claim through that driver’s liability insurance policy. The injury victim may have a few options:
- File a first-party claim through their own insurance;
- File a claim through their uninsured motorist coverage (UMC) or underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) policy; or
- Identify a party who may be liable and can pay damages, and file a lawsuit.
Uninsured Versus Underinsured Motorist Accidents in Oakland
What do we mean by uninsured versus underinsured motorist coverage in California? Both are options that you can add onto your own insurance policy. If you decide not to buy it, you must officially waive it. Unless you have waived your coverage, you might have this type of coverage. It compensates injury victims when they are involved in collisions with uninsured or underinsured motorists.
What is the difference between an uninsured and underinsured motorist? An uninsured motorist is one without any coverage—because they simply do not have a policy or because the policy lapsed. An underinsured motorist is one who has caused a substantial collision and as a result their liability coverage is insufficient to cover all losses. If you have UMC or UIM coverage, you can receive additional compensation for bodily injuries and for property damage in some instances.
Seek Advice from Our Oakland Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorneys
Do you need assistance filing a claim after a collision with an uninsured or underinsured motorist in the East Bay? One of our Oakland uninsured motorist accident lawyers is here to help. Contact Venardi Zurada today to begin working on your claim for compensation.
