SAN DIEGO Uninsured Motorist ACCIDENT LAWYERS

Underinsured & Uninsured Motorists Lawyer in San Diego

If you or a loved one get involved in a motorist accident in San Diego, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation from liable parties. However, recovering compensation can be more challenging if a motorist doesn’t have insurance coverage.

A reputable and experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you explore the options available to build a case for the compensation you deserve.

The attorneys at Rawlins Law, APC are experienced with motor vehicle accident cases and helping clients recover the compensation they need for their losses. Depending on the nature of your case, we can provide representation and help you recover compensation from negligent drivers and other parties.

Why Choose Rawlins Law, APC?

Top 40 Under 40 National Trail Lawyers

The lawyers at Rawlins Law, APC have years of experience handling uninsured motorist accident cases and other vehicle accident cases.

We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.

Some of our case results for motorist accidents include:

  • $200,000 for an accident involving an uninsured vehicle
  • $750,000 for a rollover accident involving disputed liability
  • $850,000 for an accident involving a Lyft driver who required surgery

While we can’t guarantee what you may recover for your claim, we can provide dedicated and zealous representation. Over the years, Ashley Rae Rawlins has become an award-winning accident lawyer in San Diego. Our law firm also provides personalized representation for every client based on each person’s unique requirements.

We like to make our firm as accessible as possible for those in need of our services. You can easily reach us at one of our offices in and around San Diego. If you can’t visit our offices, we can meet with you virtually.

When you work with the attorneys at Rawlins Law, APC, you’ll be able to focus on making a full recovery and spending time with your loved ones. Regardless of where your accident occurred, we’re here when you need us.

Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys today to discuss your accident with us.

San Diego Uninsured Motorist Accident Guide

Uninsured Motorist Accident Compensation

If you are involved in an accident, and the liable party is uninsured, you may still be able to recover compensation. While you shouldn’t sue uninsured motorists in most cases, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured motorist coverage in your auto insurance policy.

The amount of compensation you may recover in an uninsured motorist accident case will depend on numerous factors. For example, your policy limit, the severity of your injury and the degree of liability will affect the compensation you can claim. There are typically several different types of compensation in these cases, including economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

It’s important to understand the different types of compensation and how they affect a case.

Economic Damages

Uninsured motorist accidents may result in several types of economic damages, which are easy to quantify as they have a specific monetary value.

Some examples of economic damages, also known as special damages, include:

  • Medical expenses for immediate and ongoing treatment
  • Prescriptions
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy
  • Damage to vehicles and other property
  • Lost wages and earning capacity
  • Modifications made to the home or vehicles to accommodate disabilities

Non-Economic Damages

In addition to economic damages, you may also be able to recover certain non-economic or general damages. These damages account for the pain and suffering that individuals experience after an accident. They’re more challenging to calculate than economic damages because of their intangible nature, but an experienced attorney can help quantify them using established methods.

Non-economic damages include:

  • Physical pain
  • Mental anguish
  • Trauma and post-traumatic stress
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium or companionship
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

If a motorist acted with gross negligence or malicious intent, and the case goes to court, injury victims may qualify for punitive damages. Unlike compensatory economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages specifically punish defendants and deter them and others from engaging in the same behavior. Punitive damages rarely come into play, but they may under certain circumstances at the court’s discretion.

The uninsured motorist accident lawyers at Rawlins Law, APC, can identify and calculate all damages in your case and include them in your claim. Our legal team can then gather evidence to help build a case and support the value of your claim.

Why Do Uninsured Motorist Accidents Occur in San Diego?

San Diego sees many types of vehicle accidents, including those involving uninsured motorists. According to recent statistics, there are over 5,000 vehicle accidents yearly involving injuries and fatalities.

Like many other cities in California and across the U.S., San Diego has high traffic levels and many busy roads that increase the risk of accidents. This is particularly the case during rush hour when many commute to or from work.

Circulate San Diego also compiled a list of some of the most dangerous intersections in San Diego.

Some of these intersections include:

  • 5th Avenue and B Street
  • 4th Avenue and B Street
  • University Avenue and 52nd Street
  • 6th Avenue and Broadway
  • Broadway and 5th Avenue
  • Coronado Avenue (SB) and Thermal Avenue
  • Euclid Avenue and Naranja Street
  • 4th Avenue and Market Street
  • 10th Avenue and A Street
  • Front Street and Ash Street

Remember that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit to recover compensation following an accident in San Diego. This limited amount of time is known as the statute of limitations, which varies from state to state. In California, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the accident.

If you fail to file a lawsuit before the statute expires you will not recover compensation. To ensure you can recover the compensation you deserve before this window closes, ask our reliable San Diego uninsured motorist accident lawyer to manage your claim.

Rawlins Law, APC has handled and won many cases involving vehicle accidents. We understand what factors influence cases in and around San Diego and provide our clients with consistently dependable representation.

Common Types of Motorist Accidents and Injuries

Many types of motorist accidents can occur in San Diego and may involve motorists who lack insurance coverage.

Some of the most common accidents that happen in this city include:

  • Rear-end crashes. These accidents involve one driver colliding with the rear of another’s vehicle. They may occur when a rear vehicle is tailgating or speeding, when the driver of the rear vehicle is distracted, or when the vehicle in front comes to an unexpected stop.
  • Rollover accidents. This type of accident occurs when a driver loses control of a vehicle and it rolls over on its side. Often, these accidents happen when one vehicle crashes directly into the side of another.
  • Head-on collisions. These accidents occur when two vehicles crash into each other, going in opposite directions. The high impact of these accidents often leads to serious injuries and fatalities.
  • T-bone accidents. When one vehicle crashes into the side of another, this is a T-bone or broadside accident. Depending on the impact and the type of vehicle involved, these accidents can also lead to a rollover.

These and other types of accidents in San Diego can result in many kinds of injuries.

Some of the injuries that victims may sustain include:

Negotiating a Motorist Accident Claim With Insurance Companies

Following an accident involving an uninsured motorist, you may want to file a claim with your own insurance company to recover compensation. When negotiating a settlement, your insurance adjuster may seem to be on your side and even eager to help you recover compensation.

However, it’s important to remember that the adjuster works for your insurance company, and insurers want to avoid paying out large settlements as much as possible. Insurance companies will look for any reason to minimize settlements or deny claims entirely, making negotiations difficult but essential.

Even if an insurance company’s initial settlement offer seems appealing, you may qualify for more compensation, but you need to know how much is a fair settlement. An experienced uninsured motorist accident lawyer in San Diego can help determine how much you deserve and continue negotiating beyond that first offer.

A lawyer can help you avoid insurer’s tactics to reduce your claim’s value like avoiding making statements that might hurt your case. For instance, you may say something the insurer can twist to place fault on you even when you aren’t at fault, which can severely limit your ability to recover the compensation you truly deserve.

The knowledgeable and skilled lawyers at Rawlins Law, APC have the resources and experience to help with negotiations and keep the insurer fair. While we work toward recovering a fair settlement from insurers, you can focus on making a full recovery.

Steps to Take After a Motorist Accident in San Diego

In the event of an uninsured motorist accident in San Diego, there are certain steps you can take to increase your chances of successfully recovering compensation from insurers. The first step is to seek medical treatment, which will help you ensure a full recovery and generate medical records for reference in your claim.

Once you’ve sought treatment for any injuries and seen a physician, you can take the following steps:

Collect Evidence to Support Your Case

The first big step toward building a successful uninsured motorist accident case is obtaining plenty of evidence to support it.

Many types of evidence can help you prove liability in these cases, such as:

  • Photos and video footage of your injuries, property damage, and the scene of the accident
  • Vehicles and other damaged property
  • Witness statements
  • Police reports
  • Vehicle maintenance records
  • Medical records and receipts for treatment
  • Records of lost wages
  • 911 calls

If you endured any pain and suffering, you could also build evidence for these non-economic damages in the form of a pain journal. In this journal, you can document how you’re feeling daily, the effect on your relationships, and the recovery process.

If you cannot get ahold of any of this evidence, your attorney can do this for you. Your lawyer can reach out to witnesses, police, and others who can provide evidence to support your claim or lawsuit.

Adhere to Treatment Plans

Once you’ve seen a doctor and the physician has prescribed treatment and discussed a plan for you, it’s important to follow the doctor’s advice. If you fail to do so, insurers may believe that your injuries are less serious than you claim, resulting in diminished compensation or a denial of your claim.

Stay Away from Social Media

Upon filing a claim with your insurance company, the insurer may begin an investigation into your case. Remember, insurers are looking for any reason to minimize your settlement or deny your claim. One reason to do so could include your conduct on social media. If you post images or any other type of posts that make your injuries seem less severe than you claim them to be, they could compromise your case.

Keep All Receipts

Keep a copy of all receipts for medical expenses, repair costs, and other purchases that apply to your case. This can help prove economic damages and even non-economic damages in your case.

When you meet with the attorneys at Rawlins Law, APC, bring any evidence and documentation to support your claim. If there is any evidence you still need, we can assist with this.

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San Diego Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer, Ashley Rawlins

After an accident involving an uninsured motorist, speak with an attorney to discuss a potential case. The experienced lawyers at Rawlins Law, APC are here to help determine what options are available to you and may be able to represent you.

To schedule a free consultation with our attorneys and find out how we can help, call us at (858) 529-5872 or contact us online today.