After a California car accident, you can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, you should know that insurance companies have limits regarding how much they pay out. California requires minimum limits of $15,000 per injury for each person, $30,000 per accident for injury or death, and $5,000 for property damage.
However, you may need to consider different options once the insurance policy limits are met.
A Lawsuit
If the policy limits don’t cover the extent of your damages, you may have the legal right to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. In some cases, you can file a lawsuit against multiple defendants if more than one driver is involved.
Keep in mind that the driver may not have the personal assets to cover your losses. It can become more difficult to recover compensation when the at-fault driver doesn’t have a way of paying compensation.
An Umbrella Policy
In some situations, drivers may have an “umbrella” policy. With specific policies, defendants would have additional coverage that extends beyond their primary coverage. They typically come into play once the limits on the policy have been reached. It’s vital to look for the umbrella policy as it could cover your extensive losses.
It’s vital to speak with an attorney after an accident for numerous reasons:
- An attorney can look at the policies in place to determine how much you can recover from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
- An attorney can determine what additional options you have to file a lawsuit if your losses exceed the insurance policy’s limits.
- An attorney can represent you through the process to protect you from insurance adjusters who may try to take advantage of your rights.
At Crane Flores, LLP, we work for you. Our car accident lawyers represent clients throughout Oxnard, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara County, providing the highest level of legal counsel possible. We want to safeguard you and seek the maximum compensation available to you.
Contact our firm today at (805) 628-4967 for a free consultation.