There are an average of 160,603 car accidents across the state of California every year. For many, these accidents are costly. However, most people don’t have enough stashed away in savings to cover resulting medical bills, lost wages, and other crash-related damages.
That’s why California has statutory car insurance requirements.
How Much Car Insurance Do I Have to Have in California?
Before you can drive in the state of California, your vehicle must be covered by minimum amounts of car insurance.
Currently, California requires car owners to purchase policies with at least:
- $15,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
- $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and
- $5,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
Known as 15/30/5 coverage, these benefits are intended to help crash victims get back on their feet and move forward after serious collisions.
Bodily injury coverage can include compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Property damage coverage includes economic awards to offset the costs of replacing or repairing a vehicle that’s damaged in a collision.
While drivers can opt to carry minimum levels of insurance, they’re highly encouraged to choose higher limits and add on extra coverage.
Whose Insurance Company Pays After a Car Accident in California?
California follows a fault-based insurance system. If you get into a car accident because someone else is negligent, you’ll have the right to file a claim with their insurance carrier. You can recover compensation up to the at-fault driver’s policy limits. This means your claim can recover at least $15,000 for medical bills and lost wages, plus another $5,000 to fix your car
What happens if your damages exceed the negligent driver’s policy limits? If your injuries are catastrophic and the other driver only has minimally-required coverage, this is a very likely scenario. When this happens, you’ll reserve the right to sue the driver directly for additional compensation.
What Happens If a Driver Doesn’t Have Minimally-Required Insurance?
Even though drivers are legally required to have minimum amounts of car insurance, not everyone does. In fact, 16.6 percent of California drivers are uninsured. Among cities with high rates of uninsured drivers, five California cities rank in the top ten, including Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, and Riverside.
So, what happens when an uninsured driver causes a car accident? You won’t be out of luck. You’ll also reserve the right to file a car accident lawsuit against the uninsured driver or seek damages from another liable party (if one exists). Alternatively, you can file a claim with your own insurance company for Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) if you added to your policy.
Call Our Trusted California Car Accident Lawyers For Help After a Crash
Don’t stress out about how to recover compensation - or from whom - after a car accident in California. Take the time you need to get better and let the San Diego, CA car accident attorneys at Singleton Schreiber handle your claim for insurance benefits.
We’re award-winning litigators who’ve helped injury victims and families across the nation win over $2.5 Billion in damages. Find out how we can help you make the most of your car insurance claim after a wreck, too.
Contact one of our California law offices - conveniently located in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Rosa - to schedule a free consultation now.
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