When accidents happen, it would be great if those at fault would fully compensate victims for the damages they caused. Unfortunately, the world isn’t a perfect place, and some accidents involve at-fault drivers who are either uninsured or underinsured.

If you’re in a car accident with one of these motorists, you may be stuck paying for these damages even if it wasn’t your fault. This is precisely why you will want an attorney to help you with matters like these.

What Is Required for Auto Insurance in California?

Under California law, every driver is required to have liability insurance. Even though it is mandated, many drivers do not follow this requirement—which has drastic consequences in the event of an accident.

In other situations, an at-fault driver may have car insurance but not enough coverage to pay for the damages. Often, experts recommend purchasing optional uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage. What they neglect to tell you is that it may not protect you as much as you think.

Why Having an Attorney Helps in Accidents with Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

You don’t need an attorney, but it will help your situation. There are processes and laws that apply in these circumstances that you may not realize when trying to do it yourself.

Mishandling your claim can be a costly error that may result in you not receiving anything for your damages. You don’t want to be stuck with these expenses from an accident you didn’t cause. Paperwork errors or incorrectly following the procedures for filing can cost you dearly in accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers.  

There’s also the matter of your own insurance policy, which may cover these types of accidents. However, the level of coverage may not be clear, and the insurance company may not be forthcoming in its dealings with your claim.

Even if your insurance company isn’t making things difficult, they will greatly benefit from your lack of knowledge in this area of the law. They may offer you a settlement that sounds great until you realize later that it’s not enough to cover all of your damages.

Car accident attorneys see these things every day and know that your damages will go beyond your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Most car accident victims don’t think about future medical costs from the injuries they sustained, loss of future income, or the mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life they face in the aftermath.

With the help of a car accident attorney in Orange County, you will have someone in your corner to review your insurance policy and make negotiations on your behalf. They will seek the highest settlement to help you recover your damages.

Additionally, they will look to other sources of compensation to prevent you from being unfairly punished because another driver was negligent on the road and with their duty to secure required auto insurance in the state.