Maison Law of Bakersfield protects the victims of pedestrian accidents caused by uninsured motorists and makes sure they receive the support they need to recover. Injury compensation is available even when a driver is breaking the law by traveling Bakersfield roads without insurance coverage.
You can discuss your options to secure support in a free case consultation with a real Bakersfield pedestrian accident lawyer. Our free case reviews are confidential, and they come with no obligation. Contact us today to find out how to get the most support for your recovery.
Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Dangers
Bakersfield streets are full of reckless drivers. In fact, one national study found that Bakersfield is one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians across the entire United States.
Motorists are often aggressively switching lanes or typing a text and not looking at the intersections and crosswalks ahead. This lack of attention can put a local pedestrian at extreme risk on busy streets like Truxtun Avenue or Chester Avenue.
Those on foot in Bakersfield have zero protection when sent into collisions with careless drivers. After a crash, it’s important to get a pedestrian the best care available and the money to pay for that care. But if it’s an uninsured driver behind the wheel, pedestrian victims and their families may face the extreme costs of emergency care and other damages alone.
How Can I Earn Compensation if I’m Hit by an Uninsured Motorist?
Fortunately, there are types of insurance coverage that may already be on your policy that can help you in the event you or a family member become the victims of an uninsured driver.
One protection is commonly included when you sign up for a California car insurance policy. Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) allows you to seek damages from your own insurance provider. California doesn’t require drivers to carry UIM coverage, but most car insurance policies include this protection unless you reject it in writing. A pedestrian may also have car insurance or could be covered on a family member’s policy.
You should also know that working with your own insurance company can come with pitfalls. Your provider can try to limit your compensation, just as an insurance company for another driver would. You might get far less than you should to pay your bills and fully recover financially from missing paychecks at work. A Bakersfield pedestrian accident lawyer would help you negotiate with your insurance provider to make sure you received everything you needed.
Some drivers also add Med-Pay Coverage to their policies. Med-Pay also isn’t required by California Law, but some drivers purchase it with their policies as an add-on. It provides support for your medical bills after a crash, no matter who was at fault. Some policies also cover funeral costs in case you or a loved one were tragically killed in a pedestrian accident.
A lawsuit against the uninsured driver is also possible, but not usually helpful. A motorist who doesn’t have car insurance may not have the money to pay premiums. If you sue to get damages, you may get nothing if it turns out the driver has no savings or assets to collect from.
Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up If I File an Uninsured Motorist Claim?
No. As long as the pedestrian accident is ruled someone else’s fault your premiums shouldn’t increase. In California, car insurance companies aren’t permitted to raise your rates over an accident that you didn’t cause. That would include an encounter with a hit-and-run driver.
What Kinds of Things Can I Be Compensated for After a Pedestrian Accident?
Your Bakersfield Uninsured Motorist Pedestrian Accident Lawyer would make sure that every hardship you had endured was listed on an accident claim submitted to your insurer.
This is an important step because any damage that’s left off your claim won’t factor into the amount you’ll see on a pedestrian accident settlement check.
Your lawyer will ensure that these and other hardships are considered when negotiating the size of your settlement:
- Medical expenses now and those expected in the future.
- Costs associated with a permanent physical disability. Traumatic injuries often earn a lifetime of financial assistance when you aren’t able to return to a previous job or return to your normal lifestyle.
- Support for the physical pain you endure and bouts of chronic pain.
- Support for emotional trauma suffered. Flashbacks to the day of the crash could leave you with anxiety and PTSD symptoms about getting out and walking again. A loss of enjoyment of life the things you can no longer do may cause long-term depression and require emotional therapy.
- Travel costs for making doctor’s appointments while you are unable to drive and while you are in a wheelchair or on crutches.
- Income and benefits you’ve lost from missed time at work.
- Wrongful death benefits. When a family loses a loved one in an accident, close relatives can file a wrongful death lawsuit using UIM coverage. This lawsuit asks for help with funeral costs and leftover medical bills. This civil claim also seeks to protect the family in the future when they’ll be without the financial support the victim would have provided.
Contact a Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
After an accident involving an uninsured driver, there’s a free and easy way to figure out your best options for getting support in recovery.
Speak with a Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer to find out what your injury is worth and how to hold an insurance company and others fully accountable.
Schedule a free case consultation with Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law. This evaluation comes with no obligation to you or your family. If you do feel we can help you earn more, you won’t need any upfront money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you are awarded.
