Auto Insurance Policies in California
Auto vehicle accidents are a significant cause of injury throughout California generally and Los Angeles specifically. In fact, according to the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), California has 15 cities with residents totaling more than 250,000. Of those 15 cities, Los Angeles ranked first in the number of motor vehicle accidents involving injuries or death, which in 2017––the year of the most recently available statistics––added up to 36,037 persons experiencing bodily injuries or death.
Thirty-six thousand is a significant number. If you have been involved in an auto accident in Los Angeles and were injured or lost a loved one, you need a professional who will represent your interests and who will fight for just and fair compensation. These types of cases are often dealt with insurance companies as well as the at-fault parties, and insurance companies have their own team of highly paid attorneys whose priority is the interest of the insurance company and not you and/or their insureds.
We specialize in helping victims of auto accidents in the Los Angeles area get the legal help they need. You will find an overview of auto accidents and related auto insurance claims in California. To get detailed answers to your specific questions, contact us at your earliest opportunity.
Auto Insurance Coverage in California
A word should be mentioned about auto insurance coverage and minimum policy limits. In the State of California, each driver is required to have proof of insurance. Starting from January 2025, the minimum amounts of liability coverage include:
- Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person (does not cover the insured)
- Bodily injury liability: $60,000 per accident (does not cover the insured)
- Property damage: $15,000 (does not cover the insured)
The previous minimums were $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident.
Each driver has the right to increase their auto coverage. For your accident, you may be limited to what the insurance allows unless the at-fault party has significant resources.
What To Do If In an Auto Accident in Los Angeles?
If you are involved in a car accident, there are some important steps to take.
1. Get and secure evidence. If you are able to do it, take photos of the vehicles, the surrounding area (e.g., road conditions, traffic, skid marks, rain), and anything else of interest. Get names and contact information of the other driver, passengers, or potential eyewitnesses. Get other evidence, like the police report of the accident or any camera or video footage.
2. Get medical attention. Even if its only cuts or shaken nerves, seek medical attention. You may have suffered internal bleeding that is not initially noticeable or may have delayed symptoms. For instance, whiplash is a common injury, but symptoms may not materialize until days later. Whiplash or another soft tissue injury can also be a chronic injury that endures for many years after the accident. Seeking medical attention immediately creates a record of the accident and the injury so the defendant’s attorney or insurance company can’t later say the whiplash is the result of another activity.
3. Get legal help. This will be key to obtain fair and just compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles will have the skills, insight, and resources to investigate and represent your case.
Insurance matters related to cars, motorcycles, and especially to rideshare (Uber, Lyft), commercial truck or other commercial vehicle policies can be confusing. If you need help navigating the aftermath of an accident or other loss or feel you are getting nowhere with your claim, it may be time to consult a knowledgeable auto insurance claims and/or litigation attorney. A lawyer can help you protect your rights and make a frustrating process smoother. In car accident cases, for example, if you suffered a personal injury, you only have two years to file a claim or lawsuit. So, time is of the essence. Contact us immediately to get started on your auto accident and personal injury case.
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How Can the Right Lawyer Help?
Attorneys who are knowledgeable and experienced in auto insurance matters, may help in several ways, including the following:
- Policy Guidance and Claims Assistance: Attorneys who handle auto insurance matters can help policyholders evaluate their coverages and options, explain policy limits, and advice on other auto nuances specific to motor vehicle insurance contracts.
- Obtaining and Documenting Information: compiling medical records, gathering witness statements, requesting camera recordings or other evidence, and obtaining other information on your behalf, and documenting your losses to support the damages claimed.
- Communication: with the adjusters of your insurance company, your medical providers, body shop, and other service providers, the other driver, owner of the car, other related parties, and their lawyers, and the other driver’s insurance company.
- Coverage and Liability Issues: assisting, through evidence, in coverage determination process, and demonstrating the other driver’s fault and liability for your losses.
- Negotiating a Settlement: with the liable parties, their lawyers, and their insurance companies on your behalf, and/or litigating your case to help you obtain the best possible outcome based on the circumstances of your case.
- Negotiating with Lienholders: whether with your health insurance company, medical providers, body shop, renting or towing company, or any other lienholder you may have in your case.
- Reimbursement for All Personal Injuries: If you were injured in an auto accident or if your vehicle or other property was damaged due to someone else’s negligence behind the wheel, your attorney can help fully protect your interests, and recover all damages you are legally entitled to for all personal injuries you suffered because of the accident in issue.
- Property Damage Issues: People also sometimes hire lawyers to help them manage the claims process after theft, vandalism, or other property damage losses occur. If you believe your claim was unreasonably denied or if you were offered substantially less than you believe you are owed, an auto insurance claims attorney can review the facts and circumstances and, when appropriate, advocate for your rights.
- Insurance Bad Faith Litigation. California auto insurance companies are required to act in good faith when investigating and making determinations on claims submitted by policyholders. Insurers must also defend policyholders against lawsuits related to the insurance policy, and to pay associated damages up to policy limits when the losses would be covered under the terms of the contract. When an insurer fails to meet their legal obligation by denying valid claims outright or after only cursory investigations, or by refusing to defend and indemnify policyholders, claimants may have grounds to pursue insurance bad faith claims against their insurers.
Consult with an Auto Insurance Claims Attorney to Evaluate Options
It is not always necessary to hire an auto insurance claims attorney; in some cases, conflicts or misunderstandings can be resolved through direct communication with the insurance company or its agent. However, when in doubt, a skilled insurance lawyer can serve as an impartial, knowledgeable resource to review your insurance claim or issue and provide guidance and advice.
