Following car accidents, California takes a fault-based approach to assigning financial liability. That means those who cause wrecks are responsible for the resulting damages, and they typically take care of them through their auto insurance policy. For this reason, motorists are required to carry liability coverage in the state of California. While there are no mandatory minimums for uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, it’s wise to add this product to your policy, as well.
At the end of the day, not all motorists carry the minimum amount of liability coverage. Some let their policies lapse, while others never purchase coverage in the first place. As such, you cannot assume that those in traffic around you are equipped to handle the financial ramifications should they end up causing a wreck.
What many people don’t realize, however, is that uninsured motorist coverage has an added benefit. In addition to protecting you whenever you get behind the wheel, it can also apply to your loved ones whether they’re in your vehicle or not.
For example, if your son is crossing the street on his bike and ends up getting hit by an uninsured motorist, you can file a claim with your own carrier to take care of the resulting medical bills. As long as you have an active policy with adequate uninsured motorist coverage, you should be able to turn to your own insurer in such a scenario.
Generally speaking, uninsured motorist coverage applies as long as the victim was injured by a motor vehicle. Whether they were walking, cycling, or driving at the time is usually irrelevant. As such, buying UM coverage can provide considerable peace of mind. Keep in mind, after all, that even with decent health insurance, medical bills can quickly amount to six- and even seven-figure totals.
Your policy should cover all members of your household, and it should compensate you for losses like medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. It can also apply if you get in a crash in a state where drivers aren’t required to carry certain kinds of liability coverage, like New Hampshire.
Call (562) 206-1939 to Speak with a Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach
Your Injuries Are Personal to Me
If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist and you don’t know where to turn, you can count on the tenacious team at the Law Office of Michael D. Waks. We have what it takes to go up against even the largest insurance corporations, and in doing so, we have secured numerous six- and seven-figure payouts for our clients. Call (562) 206-1939 or submit our Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in Long Beach.
Download & Print Our Car Accident Emergency Response .PDF
Should you ever find yourself in anther crash, you’ll want to make sure you document the scene thoroughly, so you can put together a compelling claim. By printing our Car Crash Emergency Response .pdf and putting it in your glovebox, you’ll always have a checklist on hand that tells you exactly how to record the scene of a crash. Download it HERE for free.