Under California law, all drivers should have car insurance. However, with increasing premiums, the Golden State is on the top ten list of states with the highest number of uninsured drivers. Essentially, 17 percent of all motorists in California do not have car insurance. Uninsured drivers put responsible, insured drivers at risk every day. If a driver who does not have car insurance is involved in a car accident and hits you, who will pay for your damages? Experienced personal injury lawyers can help answer such questions and pursue the financial assistance that you deserve after an accident.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

The California Department of Insurance reports that uninsured drivers are some of the most likely types of motorists to be involved in a crash compared to insured drivers. Ultimately, if you are involved in a car accident caused by a driver who does not have car insurance, you will have to seek compensation from your own car insurance through uninsured or underinsured coverage. The good news is that California law requires every car insurance policy to offer uninsured motorist coverage which usually matches liability limits. Underinsured motorist coverage may also be able to fill the gap when a party has insufficient coverage.

Protections Explained

Your uninsured motorist coverage also ensures that you and any passengers in your vehicle who may have suffered injuries in such a crash are protected. If another driver is using your car with your permission, that driver will also be covered by your uninsured motorist coverage. The minimum automobile bodily injury liability limit in California is $15,000 per person and $30,000 per occurrence. 

The great weather in California allows cyclists to ride their bikes nearly all year long. In addition to being the responsible choice for the environment, riding your bike can save you money and help you stay fit - that is, unless you get involved in a serious bicycle accident.

Cyclists are at great risk of catastrophic injuries and even death in car accidents. Their small size relative to other vehicles on the road, and their relative lack of protection, means that they are easily exposed to very severe injuries that can lead to a long and expensive recovery process. Fortunately, even if you were partly to blame for an accident, you may still be able to recover damages to help you pay for any injuries you acquired. And if you lost a loved one in a tragic accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. 

Common Bicycle-Auto Accident Injuries

Cars and other vehicles frequently do not see cyclists on the road, leading to a number of common types of accidents. These include sideswipes, t-bone accidents, crush injury accidents, and accidents that happen when a driver opens a door directly into a cyclist’s pathway. The injuries that a cyclist suffers from vary depending on the case, but very often include: 

A car accident is always a hassle to deal with, but if you were injured in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, managing the aftereffects of the accident can be even more difficult - especially if you need compensation for your injuries and car damage. When purchasing car insurance policies, however, many people do not anticipate the high likelihood of getting into an accident with someone who has insufficient car insurance coverage, and therefore opt out of paying for this important feature.

If you are wondering whether you really need uninsured motorist coverage, know the answer is yes - and then secure coverage before you need it. If you have already been in a car accident, having legal representation from an experienced California personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Here are four common questions about uninsured driver insurance. 

Will My Health Insurance Pay For an Accident with an Uninsured Driver? 

If you have health insurance, your health insurance coverage should cover any injuries you sustain in a car accident. But if you have an accident that causes long-term damage that makes it difficult or impossible to work, your health insurance will not help you recover lost wages. It will also not compensate you for things like wrongful death, loss of quality of life, and other non-health-related injuries.  

Being in a serious car accident is not only physically damaging, but psychologically traumatizing as well. Feelings of confusion, anger, fear, and even guilt are normal, especially if you suffered a traumatic head injury in the accident. You may want to put the whole thing behind you and just get on with your life, but are prevented by expensive medical bills and troubling symptoms that just do not seem to go away. 

If you have been in a bad California car accident, especially if someone else was responsible for the crash, it is essential to meet with a personal injury attorney. While legal action is not available in every case, you may be surprised to learn that you can take action to recover money for the pain, suffering, and financial losses you have suffered because of the crash. 

Steps to Take After a California Car Crash

The first thing you need to do after a crash is to make sure you are physically okay. If you are suffering from serious injuries, get medical help right away - do not stop to take photos or argue with the other driver. Depending on the seriousness of the crash, police may be on the scene right away. However, other accidents, while causing major damage, may depend on you to call the police - especially if the other driver is trying to negotiate with you. Whatever the circumstances, making sure you get a police report is absolutely essential, even if your injuries only seem minor.