Let’s say you are injured in an accident with a negligent driver. He or she hit you while both texting and driving under the influence, so the negligence is undeniable. But if that driver also has no auto insurance, no assets, and maybe not even a job or a regular income, you may think that you have no recourse and that filing a personal injury claim is waste of your time. Don’t give up so easily. In southern California, an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney can often win compensation for a client even in cases where the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
If you’re injured by a negligent driver and that driver’s insurance isn’t adequate to cover the damages, a good personal injury lawyer will work to find another way to obtain compensation for you. Was the negligent driver working when the accident happened? If so, his or her employer might be named as a defendant. Auto manufacturers and repair shops are also potential defendants if defective equipment or negligent maintenance is a factor in the accident. Even the local government can be considered if a poor road design or a broken traffic signal was a factor in the crash.
California drivers should have at least $100,000 of UM coverage and more if you can. A higher amount ensures that if your personal injury damages require a claim against your own insurer, you’ll know in advance that the policy covers your compensation needs. In southern California, if you’ve been injured because of another driver’s negligence, don’t give up just because that driver has inadequate insurance or no insurance at all. If you’re injured by a negligent driver with or without insurance – now or in the future – speak to an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney as quickly as possible to discuss your legal options.