Bakersfield traffic accidents can leave victims hurting, with major medical bills, and with time and money lost at their jobs. These consequences are why a victim’s heart can sink when they learn that the at-fault driver has no car insurance.
The good news is that most drivers have protection against being struck by an uninsured driver. They can seek help with their hospital bills, their lost paychecks, and many other hardships.
When accidents involve a serious injury, more medical expenses are involved, and cases become more complex, it’s a good idea to talk over your options with a skilled Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer. There’s an easy and FREE way to do that. Schedule a free, no-hassle or obligation case consultation with Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield.
What Happens If I’m Struck by an Uninsured Motorist?
A frightening T-bone accident in a busy intersection like Mt. Vernon Avenue and Niles Street can leave you a bit dazed and in some pain. After receiving care and either going to the emergency room or being allowed to go home, you can also be hit with some anxiety over who will be paying for doctor bills and for car repairs.
If the at-fault driver is found to have no insurance, those worries run even higher. The driver may face a driver’s license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and heavy fines. But these punishments may not help you recover from an injury, lost job hours, and other damages.
Fortunately, in California, most car insurance policies include UM/UIM coverage. This stands for uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage. The coverage is a part of most basic coverage options unless the policyholder asks that it be taken off (the request to remove the coverage has to come in writing).
If a reckless driver is found to have no insurance, you can file a claim with your own auto insurance provider to get help. You can seek support for your…
- Medical bills, present and any expected in the future
- Your car repair or replacement costs
- The paychecks you’ve lost while you can’t work
- Pain and suffering damages, including emotional trauma
Battling another driver’s car insurance provider can be a frustrating task, but your own insurer can also make it hard to secure everything you need to recover.
A skilled attorney would fully investigate your accident and back it with evidence. This would keep your insurer from trying to shift blame in the accident or trying to downplay your injuries and what you needed to pay for care now and in the future.
Can I Sue a Driver Without Insurance?
Yes. But this isn’t always the best use of time and resources. A driver without insurance won’t usually have a lot of money and/or assets to draw from. So, a judge may award you a judgment against the driver, but if the at-fault driver has no savings to cover all of your expenses, you may end up with nothing after going through the cost and frustration of a trial.
In some cases, litigation against the driver is the only source of compensation. Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you file a lawsuit and prepare for a trial. However, your lawyer would also be looking at other sources of support available that would have a higher chance of getting your recovery costs covered.
Contact an Uninsured Motorist Car Accident Attorney Who Backs Your Claim with Evidence and Fights to Earn You More
Our attorneys never want to see you struggling to pay medical bills after an accident caused by an uninsured driver. Our attorneys are ready to get aggressive with insurance companies, either your own or the other driver’s, to earn you the support you need to rebuild your life.
If you have a serious injury, and a careless driver caused your accident, contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield to schedule a free consultation. It’s a confidential, no-obligation review of your case with a real car accident lawyer.
If you end up needing our help to hold an insurance provider accountable, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay a lawyer. We don’t charge anything up front, and we only get paid if we win your case for you. Then our attorney’s fee comes out of the settlement check you receive.