Glendale Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Car Accident Lawyers
If you were hurt in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Glendale, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. You will need the legal help of a skilled Glendale car accident lawyer. Call (818) 550-1111 now for a free consultation on your case.
Car Accidents With Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers in Glendale
If you have been involved in a car accident in Glendale and find the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you need Aratta Law Firm. Car accidents can be expensive and traumatic, and you shouldn’t have to worry about how to prevail in your claims for compensation, on top of your recovery for injuries and potential vehicle damage. We will fight for any compensation you are due, so you can focus on recovery. Call us at (818) 550-1111 today.
Glendale Insurance Laws
In Glendale, California, you are required by state law to have insurance if you operate a vehicle on any public road. Motorists must have a minimum coverage of $15,000 for the injury or death of one person per accident, and $30,000 for the injury or death of two or more persons per accident.
Motorists must also have insurance for $5000 for property damage per accident. Everyone operating a vehicle on public roads is bound by these laws, regardless of whether the motorist has a California license, out of state license, or is an unlicensed driver.
When Your Insurance Might Cover the Costs Not Paid by the at Fault Party’s Insurance Carrier
If you find yourself the victim of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Glendale, instead of filing a claim with their insurance company, you may need to file a claim with yours first. However, we strongly suggest hiring an attorney right away so that your claims are timely submitted to the insurance company (s) on your behalf. In cases where the other driver is uninsured, time is of the essence to start the investigation right away, and for that you need a knowledgeable Glendale car accident lawyer on your side.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist claims present their own set of challenges, as you are now relying on your insurance to cover the full value of your damages. If the other motorist is underinsured, your insurance will make up the difference, considering the offset as per California law, but you still need to prove your damages which can be challenging.
If the other motorist only has the minimum coverage of $15,000 on their liability policy, and your expenses and damages after the accident were $30,000, you would be left out of pocket if you did not have underinsured motorist coverage. If the other motorist is uninsured, you will be able to claim up to your uninsured motorist limits on your policy, if you bought uninsured motorist coverage when purchasing your policy. Having higher limit uninsured, underinsured motorist coverage is essential and you shoulder review your auto policy today.
California law requires all insurance policies to offer underinsured or uninsured coverage. These policies can only be refused in writing, meaning if you never signed such a form, your insurance policy likely has this coverage. We can help you look into your insurance policy if you are involved in a car accident in Glendale.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
A challenge you may encounter when relying on your own insurance company to cover your damages after a car accident in Glendale with an uninsured or underinsured motorist may end up being an action against your own insurance company for acting in bad faith.
Insurance bad faith is when your insurance company denies a valid claim to maximize its profits. This can happen in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist as insurance providers want to avoid paying out the policy. To an insurance provider, the other party’s insurance should pay for your damages. However, in this situation, the other party does not have any or sufficient insurance coverage, meaning that if your own insurance company won’t cover your damages, you are left uncompensated.
Your insurance policy is a contract with your insurance company. You agree to pay premiums and you purchase a peace of mind that in an event of an accident, your insurance company will step in to cover your damages and pain and suffering. But insurance companies are in the business of making profit, and merely filing a claim does not guarantee that the insurance will honor your claim.
Your insurance company has an obligation to compensate you, if you have proven your damages and the merit of your claim. If they refuse to fulfill their obligations to you, especially after extensive evidence of injury and damages are submitted, this may be deemed as acting in bad faith. This behavior is illegal, and your insurance provider should be held accountable.
Insurance companies are legally required to act in good faith. According to California law, certain decisions and conduct can qualify as bad faith by an insurance company.
The California insurance code identifies unfair practices under Unfair Claims Practice Act of California:
- Misrepresenting to claimants and insureds relevant facts
- Failing to act promptly in communicating with claimants relating to the claims presented
- Failing to conduct a fair investigation of claims and promptly make a determination regarding the claims presented
- Attempting to settle claims unfairly when presented with evidence that merits reasonable compensation
- Failing to settle claims promptly
- Failing to provide proper explanation for the decisions made on the claim
- Altering or changing a policy without knowledge of the policyholder
- Advising a claimant not to get a lawyer and legal representation
- Not making payments on time when benefits are owed
- Misleading the claimants related to the applicable statute of limitations.
If you have a car accident in Glendale, you will likely have underinsured or uninsured coverage in your policy unless you specifically opted out of it. If your insurance company is not willing to cover your valid claim, you need Aratta Law Firm to step in and fight for your rights. Call Aratta Law Firm today at (818) 550-1111.