Having insurance is not only a smart thing to do to protect yourself in the event of an accident, but it’s actually the law in California. So, when you’re in a car accident in Fresno, you must have some type of insurance to cover the damage.
With that said, car accidents can be very emotionally draining, especially when others involved are uncooperative or don’t have insurance coverage at all. If this is the situation you find yourself in, there’s no need to worry. There are ways to protect your rights under California law and get the benefits and support you need. The first step in that process is to speak with our team of Fresno personal injury lawyers.
Skilled Fresno Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident, and the responsible party is not cooperating in giving insurance information, reach out to our team at Maison Law. Our Fresno lawyers have extensive experience in personal injury cases, and we can offer you the expertise and legal representation necessary when dealing with injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Don’t wait. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Can You Do After a Fresno Car Accident Where the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
In a normal Fresno car accident, both you and the other driver will exchange insurance information to cover the damage. However, despite laws being in place requiring minimum insurance coverage, not every driver gets behind the wheel while being covered with a policy. In these instances, you’ll have to rely on alternative methods to take care of your injuries and damages. The most common way is to opt into the following types of policies:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM)
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM)
To understand UM/UIM coverage better, let’s look at the difference between the two:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage – This policy comes into play when the at-fault driver either has no insurance or doesn’t meet California’s required minimum liability coverage. These minimums are:
- $15,000 coverage for each person’s bodily injury or death.
- $30,000 coverage for the total bodily injury or death of all people in the other vehicle combined.
- $5,000 coverage for damage to the other person’s vehicle.
In many cases, if the driver doesn’t have the minimum coverage, it means they have no insurance at all. In such situations, your UM policy will pay for your injuries and property damages.
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage – Even if the other driver in your accident is insured, they might have only chosen the minimum required coverage. This can often be insufficient to cover the damages caused to you, especially in accidents involving cars.
If you have UIM coverage, but it doesn’t cover the full extent of your damages, you can consider filing a claim with your health or homeowner’s insurance to try to recover the outstanding costs for your injuries and damages to your vehicle.
What Causes Car Accidents in Fresno?
In Fresno, car accidents happen for various reasons, partly due to the large number of people traveling throughout the area. In 2022, the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record Systems (SWITRS) responded to over 1,600 accidents in Fresno alone. Of these accidents, there are many different causes, like:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield
- Being distracted
- Texting and driving
- Driving too slowly
- Inclement weather
Not surprisingly, a car accident can lead to significant problems for both the injured person and the responsible driver. Many times, when the other driver doesn’t have insurance, they may flee the scene of the accident, which is known as a “hit and run.” This can be frustrating for the injured person. Here are some common reasons why drivers might flee the scene:
- Driving under the influence
- Falling asleep while driving
- Not having a valid driver’s license
- Being on probation
- Involving a pedestrian in the accident
- Having a suspended driver’s license
- Having outstanding arrest warrants
Regardless of the reason behind the driver’s decision to flee, leaving the scene of a car accident is against the law in California. This means there are legal consequences, and the responsible person remains accountable for any injuries or damages caused.
However, the main challenge with hit-and-run accidents is finding the fleeing driver. After an accident, your first priority should be ensuring your safety. Once you are safe, there are steps you can take to pursue your legal options. In order to do that effectively, you should consider working with our Fresno personal injury lawyers.
Should You Hire an Attorney After a Fresno Car Accident If the Other Driver is Uninsured?
Hiring a lawyer after a car accident in California is not required by law, but it can make things easier, particularly if the other driver is uninsured or flees the scene. In fact, our team of Fresno personal injury lawyers is extremely skillful in this regard and can help you get fair treatment and benefits more easily. Through working with us, we’ll help you with the following:
- Understanding your rights – Our experienced lawyers can help you understand your rights and legal options after the accident. They can explain the laws related to uninsured motorists in your state and guide you on how to proceed.
- Navigating insurance claims – Your own insurance policy may have uninsured motorist coverage, which can help compensate for your injuries and damages. However, insurance companies might try to minimize payouts, and our lawyers can negotiate with them to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Finding other ways to get paid – Sometimes, someone else might be at fault for the accident or responsible for your injuries. Our lawyers will look into the situation and check if there are other ways for you to get more money to cover your losses.
- Gathering evidence – Proving fault and damages in an accident involving an uninsured driver can be challenging. our lawyers can help collect and preserve evidence, such as witness statements, accident reports, and medical records, to support your claim.
- Handling legal procedures – Legal procedures and paperwork can be complex, especially in uninsured driver cases. Having our lawyers by your side ensures that all the necessary documents are filed correctly and within the required timeframes.
- Standing up for your rights – Our lawyers will act as your advocate, protecting your rights and best interests throughout the process. We will represent you in negotiations or, if necessary, in court.
- Reducing stress – Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, especially when an uninsured driver is involved. Having our lawyers handle the legal aspects can relieve you of some stress, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Overall, consulting with our lawyers after a car accident with an uninsured driver is highly recommended. They can provide professional guidance and support, increasing your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Damages Available in Fresno Car Accidents
The vast majority of car accidents in Fresno cause damages, which can include medical bills and repair costs. The severity of the accident and its impact on you, both physically and emotionally, determine the extent of these damages.
It’s essential to consider any applicable policies that may be in place. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or has insufficient coverage, your UM/UIM coverage will step in to pay for:
- Medical bills, both current and future
- Lost earnings, both current and future
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Any permanent disfigurement or disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral and burial costs in case of wrongful death, along with other significant damages
As you can see, the damages resulting from a car accident can be costly. When the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, the responsibility for covering these damages falls to your UM/UIM coverage, if you have it. But even if you don’t, our team of lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Be Protected By Our Fresno Personal Injury Lawyers
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, and the other driver is uninsured, you might feel like you have no way to get compensation for your losses. But don’t worry, there’s still hope. Our skilled team of Fresno personal injury lawyers at Maison Law knows how to handle cases involving uninsured drivers.
Once we learn about your situation, we’ll listen to your worries and advise you on your legal choices. Our team will protect your rights and make sure you get the treatment you deserve. Take the first step by contacting us today for a free consultation.
