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Involved in a Car Accident in Murrieta?

We Can Help Handle Car Accident Insurance Claims and More

Over the years, it has become increasingly dangerous to be on the road. With the invention of smartphones and vehicles boasting state-of-the-art technology, you might be inclined to believe that distracted driving is at an all-time high. While distracted driving (such as texting or changing the music) is also an issue, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states in a report released in 2017 that these numbers were down for 2016. However, “deaths related to other reckless behaviors — including speeding, alcohol impairment, and not wearing seat belts — continue to increase”. If you were involved and subsequently injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligent driving, then you deserve restitution.

After an accident, it is often difficult to know what steps to take next — especially when you are contending with the added pressure of being injured. Founder Steve Gnau opened the doors to SD Injury Attorneys in 2007. Since then he has helped several Californians with their car accident insurance claims. Steve can handle every aspect of your claim, guide you through the process, explain your options and protect your rights when working with the insurance company. You will never be in the dark about your situation when you choose Steve and his legal team. We will review your insurance policy and amount of coverage, as well as any other liable parties to determine the best course of action to take to recover fair compensation.

 

What Are the Different Types of Insurance Coverage?

To know how much your claim is worth all depends on your specific injuries, property damage and insurance coverage available from all parties involved in the claim. Auto insurance policies are complex, including coverage for a multitude of damages including bodily injury, property damage and damage caused by uninsured/underinsured motorists.

 

The two most common types of car insurance are:

 

Bodily injury liability coverage

This type of insurance is used when a driver injures another party due to negligent driving. This is not coverage for your own injuries, but rather covers those you have injured. The same concept applies to property damage coverage, meaning this is coverage for damage done to someone else’s property, not your own.

 

Uninsured/underinsured coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage typically goes into effect (if you include it on your policy, that is) when a driver who causes an accident does not carry enough liability insurance. Without this coverage, you will likely have to pay out of pocket for an accident that you were not at fault for if an uninsured/underinsured motorist hits you. You can pursue legal action for damages, but you will likely not see any compensation come from it.

 

When choosing your car insurance policy, it is imperative that you calculate realistic amounts for each category you decide to include. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), “road crashes cost the U.S. $230.6 billion per year, or an average of $820 per person”. If you were involved in an accident and need help with car accident insurance claims, our Murrieta personal injury law firm can help.

 

What Is Med-Pay?

Some auto policies include coverage for medical benefit payments or “Med-Pay.” This type of coverage is different for each auto insurance company and should be researched on an individual basis. Generally, Med-Pay covers medical bills related to your injuries from the accident; however, other Med-Pay policies may only cover out-of-pocket costs of treatment, such as paying for copays and deductibles after your own health insurance has paid for their share of the bill. Med-Pay is optional coverage and is only an option for individuals who include it on their insurance policy. Please note that this coverage is also capped at either $5,000 or $10,000, depending on the amount of coverage in your policy.

You will want to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver after an accident to try to recover compensation from their insurance policy. This can be challenging if you do not know how much and what kind of coverage the driver has. That is where we come in to help.

 

Questions About Car Accident Insurance Claims? We Can Help — Call Today

Being involved in a car accident is stressful enough. You should focus on what is important after being injured in one — and that is your recovery. Steve has more than 30 years of combined legal experience handling car accident insurance claims for clients in California. He will explain your options and develop a strategy to minimize any negative financial impact you feel after an accident.

If you have been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another, do not wait to speak to an attorney about your claim. Call (951) 370-1111 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with Steve today. Please note that due to the complexities involved with filing car accident insurance claims, Steve will need to review your specific policy to evaluate all options before taking any action in your case. It is beneficial to bring the “Declarations Page” of your auto insurance policy to your first meeting so we can review your coverage and explain your options.

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