Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Camarillo, CA?

Curt Brown, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Camarillo Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Curt Brown is a founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in Thousand Oaks and has spent his career representing injured residents across the 101 corridor and Ventura County. He attended Thousand Oaks High School and graduated from UCLA Law School.

California requires all drivers to carry automobile liability insurance, but a surprising number of vehicles on the road are uninsured or underinsured. If you are struck by one of these drivers in Camarillo, it can feel like you have no recourse. The good news: you likely have more options than you know. Our Camarillo personal injury attorneys help uninsured and underinsured motorist accident victims navigate their options and recover the compensation they deserve.

Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage

California law requires all auto insurance policies to include uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage unless the insured specifically waives it in writing. UM coverage protects you when:

• You are hit by a driver who carries no insurance at all
• You are the victim of a hit and run accident where the driver is never identified
• The at-fault driver's policy is invalid or was voided at the time of the crash

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which may be on your same policy, applies when the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough to cover your full damages. For example, if your damages are $200,000 but the other driver carries only $15,000 in coverage, your UIM policy can pay the difference up to your policy limits.

Filing a UM/UIM Claim Against Your Own Insurance

It may seem counterintuitive to file a claim against your own insurance, but UM and UIM claims are exactly what you paid for. Your own insurer is legally required to pay your valid UM/UIM claim. However, your insurance company does not become your ally just because the claim is against your own policy. Insurers often dispute UM/UIM claims or offer low settlements.

Attorney Curt Brown has extensive experience handling UM/UIM claims and knows how to counter insurance company tactics that aim to minimize your payment.

Other Sources of Recovery

Beyond your UM/UIM coverage, there may be other avenues for recovery when the at-fault driver is uninsured:

• MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage) on your own policy can cover immediate medical bills
• If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer may be vicariously liable
• If a vehicle defect contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be liable
• If a road hazard contributed, the government entity responsible for that road may bear partial liability

Protecting Your Rights in a UM/UIM Claim

There are important steps to take after being hit by an uninsured driver in Camarillo:

• Report the accident to the Camarillo Police Department or CHP and get a police report number
• Seek immediate medical care at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital or your nearest provider
• Report the accident to your own insurance company promptly, as your policy has reporting requirements
• Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster without first consulting our attorneys

Damages You Can Recover

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Future medical costs
• Property damage (through separate uninsured motorist property damage coverage)

We also serve clients throughout neighboring areas. Visit our Woodland Hills car accident attorney page for more information.

Call LF Brown Law Today

Being hit by an uninsured driver is not the end of your options. Call LF Brown Law for a free consultation and let us identify every avenue for recovery in your case. No fee unless we win.