In every state, insurance policies have limits that determine how much another driver may be entitled to if the policyholder causes an accident. However, policy limits aren’t always enough to cover the various medical expenses you incur after an auto accident injury
After an accident, you may wonder, How often do auto accident settlements exceed policy limits in California? If your damages exceed the other driver’s policy limits, there are other ways to pursue compensation. The attorneys of Glotzer & Leib, LLP., can help guide you through your claim from start to finish.
Under Vehicle Code § 16451, California sets a minimum liability coverage amount for all drivers. This includes both bodily injury and property damage coverage.
Minimum Bodily Injury Liability Limits
Minimum Property Damage Liability Limits
Keep in mind that this is only the minimum coverage required by law. Some motorists have coverage with higher policy limits.
By law, insurance companies in California must examine all of the details of your claim and offer a fair settlement. However, most insurance companies consider a fair settlement to be anything under or at a policy limit. For example, if the at-fault driver has $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, the injured party is entitled to that $15,000 limit.
So, how often do auto accident settlements exceed the policy limits in California? Usually, it depends on the circumstances of the accident and whether the claimant files a lawsuit.
When a car accident claim exceeds policy coverage, the insurance company tries to find any reason to limit or deny the claim. In cases like this, it’s common for the claimant to file a lawsuit against the insurer or another party involved in the accident to get higher compensation.
If your accident claim exceeds policy limits, there are a few ways to pursue further compensation. At Glotzer & Leib, LLP., our car accident attorneys are experienced at fighting for higher settlements for victims.
While the driver responsible for your injuries may have insurance coverage, there is a chance that their policy won’t cover everything. If the driver has sufficient financial resources, it may be best in some cases to sue them for the excess amount owed to you.
However, not everyone has the money to pay personal injury judgments. Filing a lawsuit against a driver with low income or few assets isn’t guaranteed to result in more money in your pocket. If that is the case, we move on to the next options.
In California, insurance companies must act in good faith towards anyone filing a claim, even if they aren’t a policyholder. Under Insurance Code § 790.03, California defines acting in bad faith as:
Insurance companies use a variety of tactics to try to minimize or delay a claim, and sometimes those tactics are illegal. With proof, it’s possible to hold the insurance company accountable for acting in bad faith if your claim exceeds policy limits.
Accidents sometimes involve multiple parties. Whether you get hit by more than one driver or by a driver working for a delivery company, it’s often possible to recover compensation from more than one person’s insurance policy.
One example of this is if an on-duty package carrier causes your accident. In this case, you may be able to seek compensation from the carrier’s employer.
Unfortunately, there are many drivers on the road who don’t carry the legally required minimum insurance policy limits. For cases like this, it’s essential to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This means that if the at-fault driver doesn’t have any insurance, you may make a claim under your own policy.
In addition, if you exhaust all forms of compensation from the other driver’s coverage, you may be able to seek additional compensation from your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
However, this only applies in certain circumstances, so consult with one of our attorneys before attempting to make a claim through your own policy.
The state of California limits how much time you have to file a lawsuit for personal injury. Under CCP § 335.1, claimants have two years from the date of injury to sue the responsible party.
For example, if your crash occurred on November 10, 2021, you have until November 10, 2023 to file a lawsuit. However, if a government employee caused your personal injury, you must file a claim with the appropriate state or municipal entity within six months.
If you don’t file your lawsuit within the applicable period, chances are good that the court will deny any action related to the accident. For this reason, it’s important to retain a knowledgeable car accident attorney when there is still plenty of time left to file your lawsuit.
Whether you or a family member sustains an injury in a car accident, don’t trust the insurance company to give you a fair settlement.
At Glotzer & Leib, LLP., we dedicate ourselves to representing the best interests of victims and their families. Our attorneys fight for the compensation you need so you can focus on recovery.
To schedule a free consultation, call us at 213-309-3050 or contact us online. We proudly serve clients throughout Southern California from our office in Los Angeles.
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
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