Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer in California

A car accident can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re thinking about the plans you’ve made and the next an uninsured or underinsured motorist turns your life upside down. When that crash occurs, you’re faced with your own injuries as well as the stress and anxiety of worrying about medical bills, car repairs and injuries to your passengers.

If the negligent driver or their insurance company won’t pay, you could find yourself in a tough financial situation. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced California automobile accident attorney. Mr. Johnson has recovered more than $97 million for his clients. Contact our offices for a free uninsured accident consultation today.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Updated February, 2026

The California Insurance Code requires every auto insurance company to offer uninsured motorist coverage. Under section 11580, policies issued in California include uninsured motorist caps equal or less than the overall policy limits. Uninsured motorist options provide monetary protection for drivers against people without coverage and incidents such as hit-and-run collisions. The good news is that unless you signed a waiver, you probably have this coverage.

With uninsured motorist coverage, your policy extends to any passenger in your automobile or drivers you allow to use your vehicle. When a gap exists between a careless driver’s coverage limits and the costs of medical bills, auto repairs and other losses, your underinsured motorist coverage can make up the difference. In many cases, insurance carriers provide uninsured and underinsured coverage as a package because they play similar roles.

Understanding California’s New 2025 Insurance Minimums

As of January 1, 2025, California’s “Protect California Drivers Act” (SB 1107) officially went into effect. This landmark legislation recognizes that medical costs and vehicle repairs have skyrocketed over the last 50 years.

What changed? The legal minimum liability coverage for drivers has doubled. This means that if you have a standard policy, your Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage limits should automatically increase upon your policy renewal to at least:

• $30,000 per person for injuries.
• $60,000 total per accident.

While this is a step forward, a single emergency room visit can easily exceed $30,000. If your injuries are severe, even the “new” minimums may not be enough. Our firm specializes in identifying additional avenues of recovery, such as “stacking” policies or pursuing third-party liability.

Uninsured vs. Underinsured: What is the Difference?

Most California policies bundle UM and UIM coverage together, but they serve different purposes:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM): This applies if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance at all, or if you are the victim of a hit-and-run (provided there was physical contact with the vehicle).
• Underinsured Motorist (UIM): This applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are lower than your own UIM limits and cannot cover the full extent of your damages.

Important Note: Your UIM coverage only “kicks in” once the at-fault driver’s policy is completely exhausted. Handling these “gap” claims requires precise legal timing and negotiation with your own insurance carrier.

Recent Legal Victories for Accident Victims

The law doesn’t just change in the state capitol; it changes in the courtroom. Recent California rulings have strengthened your rights:

• Protection from Hospital Liens: Hospitals can no longer force you to hand over your UM benefits to pay for emergency bills. Your insurance settlement belongs to you for your recovery and lost quality of life.
• Strict Insurer Accountability: If your own insurance company acts in “bad faith” by unreasonably denying or delaying your UM claim, they may be liable for damages far beyond your policy limits.

Why You Need a Lawyer for a Claim Against Your Own Insurance

It is a common misconception that your insurance company will be “on your side” because you are their customer. In a UM/UIM claim, your interests and your insurance company’s interests are directly opposed. They want to pay as little as possible to protect their bottom line.

Johnson Attorneys Group protects you by:

1. Proving Liability: Even in hit-and-run cases, we gather the evidence (witnesses, surveillance footage, debris analysis) needed to trigger your coverage.
2. Meeting Strict Deadlines: Did you know you must conclude your UM arbitration within five years or lose your right to recover? We manage every filing and deadline so you can focus on healing.
3. Maximizing Value: We work with medical experts to document the true long-term cost of your injuries, ensuring you don’t settle for a “lowball” offer that ignores future needs.

No Recovery, No Fee. Get a Free Case Review Today.

If you were hit by an uninsured driver, don’t wait for your insurance company to make the first move. Under Proposition 213, if you were uninsured at the time of the crash, your rights may be limited, but there are exceptions.

Call Johnson Attorneys Group at 1-800-231-5357 for a comprehensive evaluation of your case. We represent clients throughout California and offer a “No Win, No Fee” guarantee.