If you have been injured in an automotive accident, this already tense situation can become even more stressful if you learn that the motorist who is responsible for the accident is under-insured. A Sacramento under insured motorist attorney understands that you may feel frustrated, helpless or even angry.
California law requires every driver to maintain liability insurance in case he or she causes an accident. This coverage helps provide for the medical expenses and property damage that the victim sustains as a result of the accident. However, not all people fulfill their obligations under this law. A Sacramento under insured motorist attorney can explain that under-insured motorist claims are similar to uninsured motorist claims. However, unlike uninsured motorist claims, under-insured motorist claims provide some coverage to help compensate victims for the accident.
A Sacramento under insured motorist lawyer can explain that if the driver liable for the accident has inadequate coverage, much of the burden lands on you. Additionally, if the liable driver has inadequate insurance, you may have to tap into your own under-insured motorist portion of the automotive insurance that you purchased. This often requires that you file a claim with your own insurance company. If your insurance company does not offer you a just settlement figure, you may have to pursue legal action against it.
In under-insured motorist claims, your own insurance company will attempt to get as much of your damages paid for by the other driver’s insurance company. Unlike other types of personal injury claims, under-insured motorist claims are resolved through arbitration rather than through a lawsuit. This may give an insurance company more incentive to deny your claim as arbitration may favor big insurance companies over individual plaintiffs.
Due to the complexity of such cases, it is important that you discuss your case in depth with an experienced under-insured motorist claim lawyer. He or she may be able to better negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf while you focus your time on recovering from the injuries you sustained in the accident.
If you or a loved one suffered damages as a result of an accident involving an under-insured motorist, a Sacramento under insured motorist lawyer may be able to help. You can schedule a free, no obligation consultation with one of our experienced lawyers from Amaya & Associates Law Group by calling us at (916) 452-6116.