Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Accidents in Santa Rosa

Even though California has strict car insurance requirements, some drivers get behind the wheel without adequate coverage. According to the Insurance Research Council, an estimated 17 percent of California drivers don’t have car insurance. With more than 27 million registered drivers in the Golden State, roughly 4.59 million motorists lack adequate insurance coverage.

Since insurance is intended to help victims recover much-needed compensation for medical care, lost income, property damage, and emotional trauma, accidents caused by uninsured drivers can complicate matters.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident with an uninsured motorist in Santa Rosa, California, don’t delay calling Singleton Schreiber. Even though things may be more complicated, you still have rights. Our Santa Rosa car accident lawyers can help you explore your legal options and fight to get the money you need to move forward with your life.

Our nationally acclaimed California trial attorneys have helped clients recover billions in monetary awards. Now, we’re here to help you demand the monetary justice you deserve after an accident with an uninsured driver. Call our Santa Rosa law office to set a time for a free consultation today.

How Can I Get Compensation If I’m Involved in an Accident With an Uninsured Driver in Santa Rosa?

Typically, car accident victims can submit a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover compensation for crash-related damages. However, when the at-fault driver is uninsured, that’s not an option.

This is precisely why California requires insurance companies to offer Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC) and Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) when drivers purchase car insurance policies.

While you have the right to decline this additional coverage (in writing), it’s wise to add it to your car insurance policy, given the sheer number of uninsured drivers on the streets of California.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage (UMC) stands in the place of the coverage that the negligent motorist should have had.

In California, UMC includes two types of benefits:

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI), and
• Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD).

UMBI benefits must cover $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for costs related to bodily injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, and disability.

UMPD benefits cover a minimum of $3,5000 for vehicle repairs after a collision with an uninsured driver.

You can always purchase higher limits. When you file a claim for Uninsured Motorist Coverage benefits with your car insurance company, you can recover benefits up to your policy limits. So, if you purchased the state minimum, your maximum payout for things like medical treatment, temporary disability, lost benefits, and pain and suffering will max out at $30,000.

File a Lawsuit Against the Uninsured Driver or Another Liable Party

If you didn’t add Uninsured Motorist Coverage to your car insurance policy, or if your damages exceed your UMC policy limits, you can file a civil personal injury lawsuit to hold the uninsured driver or another liable party personally responsible for your damages.

When you file a lawsuit, you’ll have the opportunity to recover compensatory damages and, if your car accident claim goes to trial, punitive damages could be on the table, as well.

Under California law, liability is proportionate to fault. The more someone contributes to an accident, the more they’ll be responsible for resulting damages. It can be important to seek compensation from everyone who contributed to your car accident, especially if one of the drivers is uninsured.

What If My Damages Exceed the At-Fault Driver’s Policy Limits?

California has minimum insurance requirements.

As of 2025, the limits are:

• $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, and
• $15,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

If you get into a car accident with a driver who’s purchased the bare minimum for insurance, there’s a good chance their policy won’t cover the full extent of your damages - especially if your injuries are catastrophic. When you bought your own car insurance policy, you weren’t just offered UMC. You were also given the opportunity to purchase Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM). UIM is helpful when your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits. You can file a claim with your UIM policy to cover the difference (up to your policy limits, that is).

While the state’s minimum car insurance requirements increased in 2025, those limits may still fail to cover the costs of particularly violent car accidents.

How Long Do I Have to Seek Damages After a Car Accident Involving an Uninsured Driver in California?

While there are some limited exceptions, you will typically have two years from the date of your car accident to (a) submit a claim to an insurance company (yours or another party’s) or (b) file a personal injury lawsuit for damages.

You must file your legal claim before the statute of limitations runs out. When time expires, you will lose the ability to recover much-needed insurance benefits or damages through a lawsuit.

If you’re going through insurance, it’s important to take prompt action. Many insurance companies have notification and filing requirements of their own. Mistakes or errors in the claims process can be costly.

Why Car Accident Victims in Santa Rosa Chose Singleton Schreiber

Don’t stress out about how to recover compensation or from whom after a car accident with an uninsured driver in Santa Rosa, California. Focus on getting better and trust Singleton Schreiber to help you make things right.

Our California injury attorneys in Santa Rosa will examine your car insurance policy, determine your legal rights, investigate your crash, and work to build a compelling legal claim that makes you whole.

We’re trusted by crash victims and families in Santa Rosa because we offer passionate, personalized legal representation that yields results. As award-winning trial attorneys, we’ve helped our clients win in excess of $3 Billion in damages.

Work with our local lawyers and benefit from our law firm’s national resources by calling our Santa Rosa law office today. There is no cost for an initial case evaluation with our legal team.