Uninsured or Underinsured Rider: Get the Coverage You Need With Our Legal Professionals
Motorcycle accidents can leave individuals facing significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens, particularly when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance. A motorcycle accident attorney in Los Angeles helps victims understand how uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can provide important protection.
UM/UIM coverage steps in when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for damages. Knowing how this coverage works can make a huge difference in the outcome of a case.
Quick Summary
- Motorcycle riders in Los Angeles are required by law to have minimum liability insurance, which covers injuries and property damage in accidents where they are at fault. The minimum coverage includes $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage. However, this basic coverage might not be enough in serious accidents, so riders should consider additional options like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorists in Los Angeles are drivers who either lack insurance or don’t have enough to cover accident costs. If a motorcycle rider is involved in an accident with one of these drivers, they may end up paying for damages and medical bills themselves. Uninsured drivers have no coverage, while underinsured drivers have insufficient coverage for serious accidents.
- An uninsured motorist policy in Los Angeles covers your medical bills, lost wages, and damages if you’re in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or in a hit and run situation. It also applies if you’re a pedestrian or bicyclist hit by an uninsured driver. An underinsured motorist policy, on the other hand, steps in when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover all damages.
- Your Los Angeles uninsured and underinsured motorist policy covers you, your family members living with you, and passengers, even if they’re not in your vehicle at the time of the accident. This coverage extends to situations where you or your family members are pedestrians, bicyclists, or riding in someone else’s car when hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- You need to act quickly when filing a claim for UM/UIM coverage, as timing can vary. Typically, you must use all other payment sources before filing a UM/UIM claim, which could be possible months or even years after the accident. For hit and run incidents, file a police report within 24 hours and a UM claim with your insurer within 30 days. UM/UIM coverage compensates for both financial losses, like medical bills and lost wages, and non-financial damages, such as pain, suffering, and permanent impairments.
What Are the Insurance Coverage Requirements for Los Angeles Riders?
In Los Angeles, motorcycle riders need insurance coverage before hitting the road. This coverage protects both the rider and others in case of an accident. California law requires all motorcycle riders to carry at least a certain minimum amount of liability insurance. This basic coverage helps pay for injuries or property damage caused to others in an accident where the rider is at fault.
Specifically, the minimum liability coverage includes $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage. While these amounts are the legal minimum, they might not be enough to cover all costs after a serious accident. It’s a good idea for riders to consider purchasing more than the minimum coverage.
Additional insurance options, like uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, can be valuable. This coverage helps if the rider is in an accident with someone who doesn’t have enough insurance or any insurance at all. Medical payments coverage, another option, can help pay for medical expenses for the rider and any passengers, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
What Are Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists?
Uninsured and underinsured motorists are drivers who either don’t have insurance or don’t have enough insurance to cover the costs of an accident. In Los Angeles, this can be a big problem for motorcycle riders. If you get into an accident with one of these drivers, you might end up paying for damages and medical bills out of your own pocket.
Uninsured motorists are those who have no insurance at all. They are driving illegally, but they’re still on the road. If you’re hit by one, their lack of insurance means you might struggle to get money for your injuries or repairs. Underinsured motorists have some insurance, but it’s not enough to cover all the costs of a serious accident.
When Does a Los Angeles Uninsured Motorist Policy Apply?
An uninsured motorist policy in Los Angeles applies when you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have any insurance. This policy kicks in to protect you, covering your medical bills, lost wages, and even damage to your motorcycle if the other driver can’t pay because they don’t have insurance.
This policy also applies if you’re involved in a hit and run accident. If the driver who hit you leaves the scene and can’t be found, your uninsured motorist policy can help cover your costs. In some cases, your policy might also apply if the at-fault driver’s insurance company goes out of business and can’t pay your claim.
Additionally, an uninsured motorist policy might cover you when you’re a pedestrian or bicyclist and get hit by an uninsured driver. It’s not just limited to when you’re on your motorcycle. This type of coverage provides a safety net in many situations where you’re at risk of being left without help after an accident.
When Does a Los Angeles Underinsured Motorist Policy Apply?
A Los Angeles underinsured motorist policy comes into play when you’re in an accident with a driver who has insurance, but not enough to cover all the damages. If the driver who caused the accident has insurance, but their coverage limit is too low to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, or motorcycle repairs, your underinsured motorist policy can step in and help cover the difference.
For example, if the other driver’s insurance only covers $15,000 in medical bills, but your total medical costs are $30,000, you’d be left with a $15,000 gap. This is where your underinsured motorist policy would apply. It helps fill in the gap so you’re not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s mistake. This policy also applies if you have passengers who get injured in the accident.
If their medical bills go beyond what the other driver’s insurance can cover, your underinsured motorist policy can help with those costs as well.
Who is Covered by My Los Angeles Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Policy?
Your Los Angeles uninsured and underinsured motorist policy covers more than just you. It also protects other people in your life. First and foremost, it covers you, whether you’re riding your motorcycle or driving your car. But the protection doesn’t stop there.
If you have family members who live with you, they are covered by your policy as well, even if they’re not on your motorcycle or in your car at the time of the accident. For example, if a family member is riding in someone else’s car or walking down the street and is hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, your policy can help cover their medical bills and other costs.
This coverage extends to passengers who are riding with you on your motorcycle or in your car. If they get hurt in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, your policy can help pay for their medical expenses. Even if you’re a pedestrian or bicyclist and are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, your policy will still protect you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re on the road, walking, or riding a bike—your policy has you covered in these situations.
When Do I Need to File My Uninsured and Underinsured Claim?
The timing for filing a claim for UM/UIM coverage can vary, so it’s important to act quickly. UM/UIM policies usually require you to use all other sources of payment first. This means you might have a long time after the accident to file your claim.
For example, if you’re getting Workers’ Compensation benefits after an accident, you may have months or even years to file a UM/UIM claim. However, if the accident involves a hit and run driver, there are additional steps.
You need to file a report with local law enforcement within 24 hours and then make a UM claim with your insurer within 30 days.
What Damages Are Covered by My Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Policy?
Uninsured motorist coverage helps you get compensated for both financial and non-financial losses from a motorcycle accident caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit and run driver in California. Financial losses include medical bills you need because of the accident, lost wages, reduced future earning ability, and other out-of-pocket expenses like household help.
Non-financial damages cover things like losing the ability to enjoy activities, ongoing pain, suffering, and any permanent impairments. While it’s hard to determine the exact amount of compensation, insurance adjusters and lawyers can estimate it based on how severe the injury is, how well it heals, the treatments needed, and the time required for recovery.
Compassionate Legal Guidance for Los Angeles Motorcycle Insurance Claims
At Conlogue Law LLP, we know that dealing with uninsured or underinsured motorcycle insurance claims can be stressful. Our trusted motorcycle accident attorney in Los Angeles has a deep understanding of the law and is dedicated to helping clients in Los Angeles who need protection after an accident.
We stand strong for riders who face the challenges of navigating these tough situations, offering the kind of care and guidance that makes a real difference in people’s lives. With years of experience, we have become a trusted name in motorcycle insurance cases, even helping other attorneys with their hardest claims.
We are committed to fighting for what our clients deserve, no matter how difficult the road ahead may seem. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us protect your rights on the road. Our legal team can also represent you in Maritime Accidents and Airplane Crash Accidents.
