Speak With a Los Angeles Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Today
You expect drivers on Los Angeles roads to carry insurance—but not all of them do. When an uninsured driver causes a serious crash, victims are often left wondering how they will pay for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. Fortunately, California drivers may have options through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. However, filing a claim with your own insurance company is rarely simple. If you were injured by an uninsured driver, working with an experienced Los Angeles uninsured motorist accident lawyer can help protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Farar & Lewis offers free consultations to victims of uninsured motorist accidents throughout Los Angeles. Our legal team knows how to navigate complex UM claims and hold insurers accountable.
Want to speak to someone about your case ? Call 800-615-6595
How Common Are Uninsured Drivers in California?
Despite legal requirements, a significant percentage of drivers in California operate vehicles without valid insurance. This creates serious risks for responsible drivers who are injured through no fault of their own.
Uninsured driver accidents commonly involve:
- Rear-end collisions
- Intersection crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Multi-vehicle freeway collisions
When an uninsured driver causes a serious crash, the financial burden should not fall on the injured victim.
What Is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage is part of many auto insurance policies. It is designed to protect you if:
- The at-fault driver has no insurance
- The at-fault driver cannot be identified (such as in hit-and-run cases)
UM coverage may help pay for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care
- Permanent disability
Although this coverage is meant to protect you, insurance companies often treat UM claims as adversarial.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage Explained
In addition to uninsured motorist coverage, many drivers carry underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
UIM applies when:
- The at-fault driver has insurance
- The at-fault driver’s policy limits are insufficient to cover your damages
UIM coverage can bridge the gap between your total damages and the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
Why UM and UIM Claims Are Complex
When you file a UM or UIM claim, you are technically making a claim against your own insurance company. However, insurers often:
- Dispute liability
- Challenge injury severity
- Minimize long-term medical projections
- Offer low settlement amounts
- Delay processing claims
An experienced Los Angeles uninsured motorist accident lawyer ensures your insurer honors its contractual obligations.
Common Injuries in Uninsured Motorist Accidents
Uninsured drivers often engage in risky behavior, leading to severe crashes.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Wrongful death injuries
Victims may require extensive treatment and face long-term recovery challenges.
Proving an Uninsured Motorist Claim
To recover under UM coverage, you must prove:
- The other driver was at fault
- The other driver had no valid insurance
- You suffered damages as a result
Important evidence may include:
- Police accident reports
- Insurance verification records
- Witness statements
- Traffic or dashcam footage
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction analysis
Your own insurer may require detailed documentation before approving a claim.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Identified Later?
If the uninsured driver is later identified:
- A personal injury lawsuit may be filed
- The driver’s assets may be pursued
- Your UM insurer may seek reimbursement
An experienced attorney can evaluate the best legal strategy for maximizing recovery.
Compensation Available in Uninsured Motorist Cases
Victims injured by uninsured drivers may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization and surgeries
- Ongoing medical care
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
The amount available depends on your policy limits and the extent of your injuries.
Arbitration in UM Claims
Many uninsured motorist claims are resolved through arbitration rather than court litigation. Arbitration may:
- Involve neutral third-party decision-makers
- Require presentation of medical and liability evidence
- Result in binding decisions
A skilled Los Angeles uninsured motorist accident lawyer prepares UM cases as thoroughly as traditional lawsuits.
California’s Comparative Negligence Rules
California follows a pure comparative negligence system. Even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover compensation—though your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies often attempt to assign partial blame to reduce payouts.
How Farar & Lewis Handles Uninsured Motorist Claims
At Farar & Lewis, we understand that dealing with your own insurance company after a serious crash can be frustrating and overwhelming.
Our legal team:
- Reviews your policy coverage carefully
- Investigates liability thoroughly
- Preserves critical evidence
- Negotiates aggressively with insurers
- Prepares cases for arbitration or trial when necessary
- Accurately calculates full damages, including future costs
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Uninsured Motorist Claims
Most personal injury claims in California must be filed within two years of the accident date. However, UM and UIM claims may involve specific policy deadlines and arbitration time limits.
Prompt legal action ensures compliance with all requirements.
Call Farar & Lewis After an Uninsured Motorist Accident in Los Angeles
If you were injured by an uninsured driver, do not assume you are without options. Your own insurance policy may provide valuable protection—but insurers do not always make recovery easy.
Contact Farar & Lewis today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Los Angeles uninsured motorist accident lawyer. We are ready to fight for your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Sources
- California Department of Insurance – Auto Insurance Requirements
https://www.insurance.ca.gov - Insurance Information Institute – Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
https://www.iii.org - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics
https://www.nhtsa.gov
