California roads are busy, especially in and around San Francisco. Car accidents happen. While getting in an accident is never a good thing, it can be even worse if you are hit by an uninsured motorist. Hopefully, the driver who hasn’t insured sticks around. Sometimes though, it becomes a case of hit-and-run.
Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are on the rise. California saw more than 100,000 hit-and-runs on its roadways in 2017, up from 67,731 in 2013.
At Allegiance Law, we understand that getting into a vehicle accident can be stressful. Add in the fact that an accident may have been caused by an uninsured motorist, and the case can be complicated. If you have been in an accident that was caused by an uninsured motorist, you may need a personal injury or car accident attorney in San Francisco.
When it comes to auto insurance, there are many things that you need to know, especially when it comes to accidents involving an uninsured motorist. The situation is different if the driver flees the scene and it is a hit-and-run accident. Even if you have uninsured motorist insurance, if you can’t identify the other driver or car by its plate number, the company will not pay for repairs to your vehicle.
If you have collision coverage, your insurer will pay for your car repairs if the uninsured motorist stays at the scene and can be identified. Under California law, if you are not able to identify the driver, your insurance company will require you to pay the deductible for your vehicle repairs.
This has been stating law for a few decades in an effort to combat insurance fraud. Sometimes, people would claim an accident was a hit-and-run when it really wasn’t. Unfortunately, this affects all drivers.
It is also not fair to you.
Regardless of whether or not the uninsured driver who hit you stays at the scene, you need to be sure your insurance company treats you fairly.
If you are involved in a vehicle accident, do not rush to a settlement, whether for personal injury or property damage. Insurance companies usually call people involved in accidents quickly. They do this for a reason, knowing that you want to put this behind you. Their claims adjusters are going to do what benefits the company. Talking to an insurance company before you understand the whole situation will never help your case.
In cases involving hit-and-runs and uninsured motorists, your insurance company is on the line for the costs, so they will try to pay as little as possible while also getting you to pay the deductible. Do not give them information, or medical records, before you speak to an attorney.
If you find yourself in this situation, you may need a personal injury or car accident attorney in San Francisco. At Allegiance Law, we will offer you a free consultation, addressing everything that is involved in the process of handling uninsured motorist claims. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 415-404-6395.
Posted in Car Accident, Personal Injury