San Diego Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Lawyer

Uninsured motorist coverage generally addresses a qualifying uninsured driver or hit-and-run. Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when an at-fault driver’s liability limits are insufficient. California insurers generally must offer the coverage, but it may be rejected in writing. Do not assume you have it; review declarations, endorsements, and any rejection documents.

UIM is not simply an additional payment stacked on top of every liability settlement. Exhaustion, offsets, consent, and policy limits may affect recovery. Hit-and-run claims have their own requirements. Other coverage, including medical payments, may also be relevant. A policy-specific review is necessary before accepting a settlement or releasing another driver.

You may still need to prove the other driver’s responsibility, your injury, and the amount of loss. Your insurer does not become the at-fault driver merely because it handles the claim. Keep accident reports, medical bills, wage records, and coverage correspondence. Disagreements may involve a contractual arbitration process rather than an ordinary lawsuit against the motorist.

Policy notice duties and statutory steps to preserve a UM claim can require prompt action. A demand letter alone may not preserve every right. jD LAW can review applicable deadlines, available limits, and proposed settlements, helping you understand the options before a release or delay harms the claim.