Car Insurance and Car Accident Claims

Any time there is a car accident in San Francisco, there is a good chance that an insurance company will become involved. All drivers in the state are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance in case of an accident. This insurance will provide compensation for injuries accident victims sustain as a result of the crash. It is important to understand the minimum required amounts of insurance in California, and how insurance coverage will affect a car accident claim. Even with insurance coverage, it is not always easy to claim compensation. Those hurt in a car accident should speak to a San Francisco car accident lawyer who can help them claim the full settlement they need.

Unlike the handful of states that follow no-fault car accident laws, California is an at-fault state. This means that when a driver is negligent and causes an accident, that driver is liable for paying compensation. If you have been hurt in a car accident in San Francisco, regardless of whether you were another driver or a passenger, you have a few options to pursue.

The first and most commonly pursued option is to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If the at-fault driver’s insurance policy does not provide enough compensation, you can then file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver. Lastly, if you have purchased uninsured or underinsured insurance from your own insurance company, you can also file a claim with them in some circumstances.

No matter the insurance company with which you are filing a claim, it is important to first speak to a San Francisco car accident lawyer. Insurance companies do not want to pay large settlements, and will take great measures to deny or reduce your claim.

Under California’s financial responsibility laws, all drivers in the state are required to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance. This insurance will provide coverage to anyone that is injured in an accident you cause. The minimum liability amounts include:

• $15,000 for bodily injury or death to another person
• $30,000 for bodily injury or death for the entire accident
• $5,000 for damage caused to property during an accident

Although these are the minimum requirements, drivers are always encouraged to purchase as much insurance as they can afford. This can help protect you in the event of an accident that results in injuries so severe, insurance is not enough to cover them.

These limits also only apply to losses sustained by others in the event of a crash. You will need additional insurance, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay to cover your losses when you cause an accident.

Although car insurance is meant to protect you in the event of a car accident, it unfortunately does not always work that way. Insurance companies are more interested in keeping their profits than they are in providing accident victims the compensation they deserve. If you have been hurt in a crash, call the car accident attorneys in San Francisco at the Brod Law Firm today. We stand up for the rights of accident victims and will aggressively pursue the fair settlement you deserve. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 for a free case evaluation so we can review your claim.