Under California law, motorists are required to carry evidence of financial responsibility in their vehicle at all times. Although for some drivers financial responsibility takes the form of a cash bond or meeting the requirements of being self-insured, for the vast majority of vehicle operators, liability insurance coverage is the safety umbrella that protects their passengers and occupants of other vehicles.
California's insurance requirements are meant to ensure that those injured in automobile crashes have resources available to pay for medical bills, lost wages and other costs of an accident. But what about the large proportion of California drivers who, in violation of the law, operate their vehicles without coverage? While a Modesto uninsured motorist attorney can help victims pursue all possible sources of compensation, those who drive without insurance can leave injured crash victims struggling to make ends meet, in addition to causing their own financial ruin.
The Steep Costs of Driving Uninsured in California
A study from the Insurance Research Council found that nationwide, about one in seven motorists is not insured. California has made great progress in promoting driver responsibility: just five years ago, about 25 percent of the state's drivers had no coverage. Today, approximately 15 percent of California drivers are uninsured - slightly higher than the national average.
Perhaps the biggest drawback of driving uninsured is that drivers without insurance who injure someone or damage property must pay costs out of pocket. But, California has also taken other measures to curb uninsured driving.
California's implementation of a computer system that tracks cancelled policies and prevents license renewal for drivers with no coverage has been instrumental in preventing uninsured driving. The new system has also facilitated stepped up law enforcement programs targeting uninsured motorists for tickets and vehicle registration suspension. Additionally, a legal provision prevents uninsured California motorists from recovering compensation for pain and suffering from other drivers, even if the uninsured motorist was faultless in a crash, which further disincentivizes driving without coverage.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage, Legal Options
Uninsured and underinsured motorist policies provide you with compensation should you be injured by a driver who does not have the ability to pay for your damages. Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage is relatively inexpensive to add to an existing auto insurance policy - and considering the large number of uninsured motorists on California roads, purchasing the extra coverage is well worth it to hedge against the risk of a serious car accident.
If you have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may have a variety of legal claims again the motorist, your own insurance policy or responsible third parties. Contact an uninsured motorist lawyer today to pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.
