In any type of accident, the process of dealing with an insurance company is enough to cause significant stress and anxiety for most injured parties. What happens, though, when the person responsible for your injuries and other damages doesn’t have insurance?
Unfortunately, out of all 50 states, California ranks in the top half with regards to how many drivers are uninsured. Roughly 14.7% of all drivers in the state are uninsured, and when these drivers cause harm in an auto accident, it’s imperative for those on the receiving end to understand their rights.
Uninsured Motorist Accident Claims are Handled with Your Own Insurance
In California, drivers are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage. If you are hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance, this policy is designed to protect you and help to cover the costs of the damages sustained by your person and by your property.
The minimum limits allow for $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily harm and $3,500 for property damage. This is supposed to be paid to you through your own insurance company, but like with many other matters involving large corporations, your provider may not always be willing to pay out.
What If My Insurance Company Denies My Claim?
If your insurance company denies your claim for uninsured motorist, they may be doing so in bad faith and it’s imperative for you to know your legal rights. Acting in bad faith means the insurance company is not living up to their end of the agreement—compensating you for your losses.
You have the right to take legal action against your insurance company if they wrongfully deny an uninsured motorist coverage. This means filing a lawsuit to pursue compensation for all bodily injury and property damage sustained.
At The Matiasic Firm, we see too often that insurance companies are not looking out for claimants. They’re more concerned with their own profits, which means taking advantage of people in vulnerable positions.
It is the goal of our San Francisco car accident lawyers to help protect the rights of the injured, working to pursue the most favorable outcome. You can count on our team to look out for your best interests every step of the way.
To speak with a lawyer about your potential case, call us today at (415) 858-6692.