If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or from other types of negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior, you’re entitled to collect compensation from the responsible parties. How much you can collect will vary with the severity of injuries, the respective fault of all parties and how much insurance coverage applies. The best way to get an understanding of the value of your case is to consult with an experienced California personal injury attorney who can apply the facts to the law.
Insurance Coverage For Car Accidents In California
The California Department of Motor Vehicles requires owners of private passenger vehicles to carry the following minimum coverage:
- $15,000 for injury/death of a single person;
- $30,000 for injury/death of all involved;
- $5,000 for property damage.
Commercial vehicles have higher mandatory minimums. For example, rideshare drivers must carry $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident coverage. Minimum coverage for trucks varies, increasing with the weight of the truck being insured. The heaviest vehicles, weighing over 10,000 pounds must carry $750,000 single limit policies. If your accident was caused by a municipal vehicle such as a police car or a vehicle owned by a major corporation, the amount you can collect is virtually unlimited. If insurance coverage is insufficient, it’s sometimes possible to make a claim for underinsurance against the policy of the car you’re in.
How Are Settlements and Verdict Calculated
Insurance companies make offers to settle cases based on what they believe they might be worth at trial, hoping to save money by offering something less than what a jury might award. It’s usually worth it to accept a settlement because even though a jury could award something astronomical, they could also rule against you and award nothing, so it’s always risky to let a case go to trial. Sadly, this means that even if you sustain very serious injuries, you may only be able to recover the minimum policy limits. It’s also important to remember that even if you’re hit by a vehicle with millions of dollars of coverage, a fender bender case with a sprained ankle that heals quickly, isn’t worth big money. Most cases fall in between these two extremes, with sufficient coverage for the injuries sustained.
California Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve sustained a serious injury, and it’s somebody else’s fault, it’s important to call an experienced California personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Speaking to a personal injury attorney is the best way to find out how much your case is worth. Please call today for a free consultation.
Find Out How We Can Help
At Silva Injury Law we promote healing through compassionate advocacy. With each case tailored to the individual, we look our for your best interests by evaluating your unique circumstances. Contact us today for a FREE in person or remote consultation.