When There Are Injuries
The minimum limits required by San Diego and the state of California for auto insurance are $15,000 per person for bodily injuries, $30,000 max per occurrence for bodily injuries, and $5,000 max for property damage. Although this is affordable for most of the population, there are still many motorists who choose to illegally drive without insurance. Any car accident is stressful, but when you find out the driver who caused an injury to you is uninsured, it can be even worse. The better news is you do have options and seeking a qualified auto accident attorney is one of them. Lets take a look at a few more.
First Thing First
The obvious is sometimes forgotten in a high stress situation. If there are any injuries, call an ambulance immediately, and then call the police. There is an adrenaline rush that the body produces during high stress situations that can also block messages to the brain that signal when there is pain. Even if you feel a slight pain, its best to call for help, and if there are any open wounds, call for help immediately. This will ensure any victims of the crash receive prompt attention and documentation if there are injuries.
A police report begins the documentation process that can be critical for insurance or legal claims in the future. The police on the scene are trained to know what to do, and to ask the right questions depending on the severity of the collision and the injuries sustained. They need to witness the scene as it happened, so do not feel pressured by other motorists to move your vehicle. Police need to see what happened and document the exact location and condition of the vehicles involved to write an accurate report. Insurance companies use police reports to file a claim and compensate for injuries and car damages.
Exchange Contact and Insurance Information
The police on the scene will remind you to make sure the exchange of information takes place, or will find the information if someone is too injured to locate it on their own. If the other driver involved is uninsured, you still need to get their contact information. Before releasing uninsured motorist compensation, some insurance companies will ask for a statement signed by the uninsured motorist confirming they have no insurance.
All parties involved in a car accident should exchange names, phone numbers, email addresses, and insurance carriers. You will need to call your insurance carrier with this information.
Consult a Qualified Auto Accident Attorney
When there are multiple parties or drivers involved in a car accident and some are uninsured, the case can become complicated and confusing. Insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible and are more likely to be successful at it without legal representation. Sometimes they will stoop as low as to retain their own lawyer to represent the uninsured motorist in an effort to keep from paying you damages that are due.
A trusted attorney can help you understand your rights, guide you through the legal process, and work towards an optimal outcome. If your case cant be settled out of court, they can speak on your behalf and represent you during a trial.
If youve been hurt in an automobile accident contact a seasoned, knowledgeable, and dedicated personal injury lawyer.