![California Car Accident Statute of Limitations Explained (2024) 1 California Car Accident Statute of Limitations](https://www.kreegerlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/california-car-accident-statute-of-limitations.jpg)
Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim
Every driver must have auto insurance that includes a minimum of $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for a single person injured in an accident caused by the policyholder. Additionally, their policy must allow for at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for all persons injured in an accident caused by the policyholder, and the policy must also provide at least $5,000 in property damage liability coverage.
Drivers are heavily encouraged though not required to purchase underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage in addition to the other mandatory coverage required by state law. This is because the state has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country, and if any such driver hits you, you will be unable to rely on their insurance for compensation. However, if you have your own underinsured/uninsured driver coverage, you could file a claim against your own policy for some initial compensation, and this should not lead to any adjustments in your own coverage or premium rate since you did not cause the accident.
An experienced attorney is a valuable asset when you must file an auto insurance claim. Most insurance companies look for all the reasons they can find to reduce a claim payout or deny a claim, often relying on claimants’ lack of awareness and desperation to succeed with these methods. If you have a reliable car accident attorney representing you, the insurance carrier will be less inclined to attempt any bad-faith handling of your case. Your attorney can draft a demand letter to the insurance carrier and resolve any disputes that might arise with your case.
Recovering From Your Car Accident
When insurance alone cannot compensate for the losses you suffered in a car accident, the next phase of your recovery will be a personal injury claim against the driver who caused the accident. Your attorney can help you build this civil suit, gathering the evidence necessary to firmly establish liability beyond any doubt, and they will also help you secure the documentation you will need to prove the full extent of the losses you suffered.
Under California law, you have two years to file your personal injury claim after a car accident, but it is always best to start the process as soon as possible. State law permits you to seek full compensation for any and all economic losses you suffered because of the defendant’s actions, and you can also claim compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced. Many other variables could come into play in your case, and you have the best chance of maximizing your results when you start your case as soon as possible after your accident.