Tiemann Law Firm in Forbes Magazine

call for a free consultation

(916) 999-9000
Home > Accident Attorney > STEPS TO TAKE AFTER ACCIDENT WITH UNINSURED DRIVER

Written by Jelena Tiemann and Peter B. Tiemann

Last Updated : June 23, 2022
REQUEST FREE CASE REVIEW

Posted on Monday, October 16th, 2017 at 5:49 pm    

California law requires that every driver carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. Liability insurance protects other parties if you cause an accident. Your insurance pays money to the other parties injured in the accident. It also pays to repair or replace damaged property. At this time, all drivers in California are required to have:

  • $15,000 in liability insurance coverage for one victim in an accident
  • $30,000 in liability insurance coverage for more than one person in an accident
  • $5,000 in property damage coverage

Liability insurance is the most common form of financial responsibility used by drivers in California. However, the law allows drivers to meet their financial responsibility by placing a $35,000 deposit with the DMV, purchasing a $35,000 surety bond, or meeting the qualification for self-insurance.

Traffic Accidents with Uninsured Drivers

Sadly, some drivers choose to disobey the law and drive without liability insurance or another acceptable form of financial responsibility. Being injured by an uninsured driver can leave you with thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

If an uninsured driver injures you, even if you are a pedestrian or bicyclist, you should take certain steps after the crash to protect your legal rights.

  • Call 911 immediately to report the accident. It is important for insurance purposes to report the accident even if the other driver does not have insurance coverage. You need to document the collision and the fact that the driver does not have insurance coverage.
  • Never accept cash at the accident scene. Some uninsured drivers may offer cash to the other driver to prevent them from calling the police. Driving without insurance is a traffic offense that could result in several penalties. To avoid these penalties, the other driver may offer to pay for your damages in cash. Do not take the cash — call the police. Even though you sympathize with the other driver, there is no way to be 100 percent certain of the property damage or physical damage until you have your vehicle inspected and you see a doctor. Taking cash at the scene can result in you being responsible for thousands of dollars in uncovered damages.
  • Gather Information from Witnesses. It can be very important to have eyewitness testimony if you need to file a lawsuit for the accident. Ask eyewitnesses for their names and contact information in case they leave before the officer arrives. If possible, take photographs of the accident scene too.
  • Report the accident to your insurance provider. You need to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible after the crash. If you have uninsured insurance coverage, your policy may cover the damages caused by the uninsured
  • Call an attorney as soon as possible. Even if you are dealing with your insurance company, you need an attorney to advise you of your rights. Navigating an uninsured insurance claim can be complex. Furthermore, an attorney can investigate to determine if the other driver has assets that can be used to pay your damages.

Uninsured Motorist Claims Attorney in Sacramento

Our Sacramento personal injury lawyers understand the frustration of being injured by an uninsured driver.  We also understand the legal steps to take to help you recover compensation from any resources available after an uninsured motorist accident.

Call the personal injury attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or visit our website to request more information and schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.  Our attorneys represent clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.

Categories: Accident Attorney

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Client Testimonials

Jereme S. Testimonial
Quote

No one wants to have to hire a lawyer, but if you do. I prefer Tiemann Law. They helped a family member who was injured on the job, and the company did not want to compensate him even though, the injury occurred on the job on company time. Jelena was always professional in explaining the lengthy process of fighting a large corporation. 2 years later he finally is receiving the deserved compensation.

Hanna Padilla Testimonial
Quote

From the very start of my case the Tiemann Law Firm was wonderful. Perter came all the way to my home to sit down and talk to me about my options. He made me and my partner feel very comfortable and promised us he would take the very best care of my case. Peter kept me informed every step of the way and was always on top of things. everything was done in a timely manor and I always felt like I was the only case he was working on because he was so fast. In the end Peter got me back way more money than I ever expected. I would recommend this law firm to everyone. I am very happy with the outcome of my case thanks to the Tiemann Law Firm! Thank you!

Matt H. Testimonial
Quote

I was in a car accident a while back where I was injured and had to miss work for an extended period of time.  After nearly a year of fighting with the insurance company with no results and no progress, I met with Jelena Tiemann.  I couldn't have asked for a more responsive and supportive advocate.  We quickly reached a settlement and I finally was able to move from the stress and burden of feuding with my insurance.  I highly recommending meeting with Jelena if you're in need of a lawyer.

Star Fire Testimonial
Quote

It is hard to put into words the care and dedication that I received from the Tiemann’s. They have been here for me every step of the way and were always available when I had questions or concerns. My husband and I will be forever grateful for everything they have done for us and our family. Thank you so much for all of the hard work and time you have put into my case, we greatly appreciate it and your friendship. We highly recommend this firm and will always be thankful for everything they have done. Thank you so much again, Kim

Lendzey Garcia
Quote

I was in a very bad/ major car accident I originally had an attorney who wasn’t trying to help me out much or take any of my calls so I called Tiemann and told them my situation. They made it an AWESOME and Smooth transition over to them and took on both cases I had. I just settled on my big case and am beyond great full. For them and their team! I highly recommend them. To add on to this a little On how much they will work with you, I moved to Montana in the middle of all Of this and it was not an issue!