If you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist in Glendale, CA, you’re likely facing a challenging situation. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family.
However, the earlier you seek legal counsel, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome. Babaians Law Firm can provide you with the guidance you need to find your path forward.
The sooner you involve a lawyer, the sooner we can start gathering evidence, building your case, and protecting your rights. To learn more, schedule a free consultation today to talk to a Glendale car accident lawyer.
Dealing With Uninsured Motorist Accidents
When you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, it’s important to prioritize your safety and well-being above all else.
Take a deep breath, assess the situation, and call for medical help if needed. Don’t engage with the other driver, as road rage can escalate the situation. Instead, focus on exchanging information and documenting the scene.
The aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, especially when the other driver is uninsured. You may be dealing with financial stress and wondering how you’ll cover medical bills and car repairs. It’s vital to remain calm and think clearly about your next steps.
Make sure to file a police report and notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Then, contact a Glendale personal injury lawyer from our firm as soon as possible.
For a free legal consultation, call (818) 747-9113
Understanding California’s Insurance Laws Related to Uninsured Motorists
You’ll need to understand California’s insurance laws to handle the situation and protect your rights, as the state’s specific regulations can impact your case. Grasping these laws will help you tackle the process of dealing with an uninsured motorist accident.
Key Aspects of California’s Insurance Laws
- Mandatory liability insurance: California law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. This includes:
- $15,000 for injury or death to one person
- $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person
- $5,000 for property damage
- As of January 2025, the California minimum limits are:
- $30,000 for injury or death to one person
- $60,000 for injury or death to more than one person
- $15,000 for property damage
- Uninsured motorist coverage (UM): While not mandatory, California insurance companies must offer uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage protects you if an uninsured driver hits you. It can cover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage (if you have uninsured motorist property damage coverage)
- Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM): This coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your damages. It bridges the gap between the at-fault driver’s policy limits and your actual damages.
- Hit-and-run accidents: If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, uninsured motorist coverage can help cover your costs, treating the unidentified driver as uninsured.
Determining Fault and Liability
When you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, determining fault and liability is essential to your case. You’ll need to prove that the other driver was negligent and that their actions caused your injuries. To do this, you’ll need to establish negligent behavior, prove the causation link between their actions and your injuries, and assign a liability percentage.
Establishing Negligent Behavior
To construct a compelling case, it is important to determine how the other driver’s negligence contributed to the accident, which involves gathering evidence to prove their fault and liability.
As you work with your Glendale uninsured motorist lawyer, you’ll need to identify the specific actions or circumstances that led to the accident. This may involve examining police reports, witness statements, and other evidence to build a strong case.
Here are three significant areas to focus on when establishing negligent behavior:
- Driver error: Was the other driver speeding, tailgating, or failing to obey traffic laws? Were they distracted by their phone or other factors?
- Road conditions: Were there any hazards or obstacles on the road that contributed to the accident, such as potholes, oil slicks, or debris?
- Vehicle maintenance: Was the other driver’s vehicle properly maintained, or were there issues with tires, brakes, or other critical systems that may have contributed to the accident?
Proving Causation Link
Having identified the negligent behavior that contributed to the accident, your Glendale uninsured motorist lawyer will help you link these actions to the resulting damages and injuries, establishing a clear causation link between the other driver’s fault and your losses.
This essential step in determining fault and liability requires a deep understanding of causation theories and legal precedents. Your lawyer will use evidence from the accident scene, witness statements, and expert testimony to build a strong case that demonstrates the causal connection between the other driver’s negligence and your injuries.
Assigning Liability Percentage
After establishing the causation link, your Glendale uninsured motorist lawyer will work to assign a liability percentage, determining the exact degree of fault that lies with the other driver and any other parties involved in the accident.
This is an important step in apportioning blame and determining compensation. In California, the principle of comparative negligence applies, which means that multiple parties can share liability for an accident.
Here are three significant factors your lawyer will consider when assigning liability percentage:
- Driver error: Was the other driver speeding, distracted, or reckless? If so, they may bear a significant portion of the blame.
- Vehicle maintenance: Were there any mechanical issues with the other vehicle that contributed to the accident? If so, the vehicle owner or driver may be partially liable.
- Road conditions: Were there any hazardous road conditions that contributed to the accident? If so, the government entity responsible for road maintenance may share some liability.
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Handling Insurance Company Negotiations
You’ll likely need to negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement, and this is where a skilled Glendale uninsured motorist lawyer can make a significant difference. Insurance companies often employ tactics to minimize payouts, and it’s important to have a lawyer who’s familiar with these strategies.
They may try to downplay your injuries, dispute liability, or use policy loopholes to deny your claim. A knowledgeable lawyer will anticipate these tactics and counter them effectively.
Your lawyer will review your policy and identify the maximum coverage available. They’ll also gather evidence to support your claim, including medical records, witness statements, and accident reports. With this evidence, they’ll negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
If necessary, they’ll take your case to court to fight for the compensation you are entitled to. Don’t try to deal with the negotiation process alone. Let a seasoned Glendale uninsured motorist lawyer handle the insurance company negotiations for you, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation possible.
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Seeking Compensation for Damages
When seeking compensation for damages after an accident with an uninsured motorist, you’ll need to focus on three essential aspects to build a strong case. You’ll need to prove that the other driver was at fault, calculate the exact amount of damages you’re owed, and negotiate with the insurance company to get a fair settlement.
By tackling these pivotal points, you’ll be well on your way to securing the compensation you merit.
Proving Fault Is Key
In an uninsured motorist claim, establishing the at-fault driver’s liability is crucial, as it directly affects your ability to recover compensation for damages. To build a strong case, you’ll need to gather evidence that proves the other driver was at fault. This can be a challenging task, but a skilled Glendale uninsured motorist lawyer can guide you through the process.
Here are some critical pieces of evidence that can help establish fault:
- Witness testimony: Statements from witnesses who saw the accident can provide valuable insights into what happened.
- Accident reconstruction: Experts can recreate the accident scene to determine how the crash occurred and who was responsible.
- Physical evidence: Photos of the damage, skid marks, and other physical evidence can help piece together the events leading up to the accident.
Calculating Damages Accurately
Determining the full extent of your losses is crucial to accurately calculating damages, as it directly impacts the amount of compensation you can seek from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You’ll need to take into account both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, which can be easily quantified. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are more subjective and require a deeper analysis.
To calculate non-economic damages, you may use pain multipliers, which assign a numerical value to your pain and suffering based on the severity of your injuries. Your Glendale uninsured motorist lawyer can help you determine an appropriate pain multiplier for your case.
Additionally, you should factor in the economic impact of your injuries on your daily life, such as the cost of future medical care, lost earning capacity, and any other related expenses. By accurately assessing your damages, you can make sure you’re seeking fair compensation for your losses.
Negotiating With Insurance
You’ll now need to present your calculated damages to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and a skilled Glendale uninsured motorist lawyer can help you manage the often-complex negotiation process to guarantee you receive fair compensation.
During negotiations, it’s crucial to be aware of insurance tactics that may undermine your claim. Insurance companies often employ strategies to minimize payouts or exploit policy loopholes to deny claims. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you maneuver these challenges and make sure you receive the compensation you merit.
Here are three critical areas where an uninsured motorist lawyer can assist you:
- Identifying policy loopholes: Your lawyer can review the at-fault driver’s insurance policy to identify potential loopholes that may affect your claim.
- Countering insurance tactics: A skilled lawyer can help you anticipate and counter insurance tactics, such as lowball settlement offers or claims of partial fault.
- Negotiating a fair settlement: Your lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement that covers your damages and losses.
Protecting Your Rights as a Victim
Protecting your rights as a victim of an uninsured motorist accident requires prompt action to gather evidence, document losses, and seek legal counsel to ensure fair compensation. This is particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions, who may be more susceptible to emotional trauma and long-term physical harm.
As a victim, you may be experiencing emotional trauma, including anxiety, fear, and stress, which can impact your ability to maneuver the intricate legal process. It’s vital to prioritize your well-being and seek professional help to manage your emotional state.
An uninsured motorist attorney in Glendale can assist you through the legal process, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer who can protect your rights and advocate on your behalf.
By taking quick action, you can focus on your recovery while your lawyer fights for the compensation you merit.
Contact a Uninsured Motorist Lawyer in Glendale, CA, Today
You’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist in Glendale; now what? Don’t delay; call Babaians Law Firm as soon as possible. They’ll guide you through California’s insurance laws, determine fault and liability, and negotiate with insurance companies to make sure you receive fair compensation for your damages. With their knowledge and experience, you’ll be better protected and more likely to achieve a successful claim outcome.
We understand the importance of having a skilled and dedicated attorney on your side. We’ll work closely with you and your insurance company to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Please visit our about page to learn what we can do for you. Then, contact us today for a free consultation.
