In theory, every driver in California should have insurance on their vehicle. It is a requirement. There are different levels of insurance, so not everyone is going to have the same policy. Some people have very comprehensive policies that pay to repair their vehicles, but drivers need to at least have a low-level policy that will help cover damages to another party if that driver causes an accident.
This can sometimes be an issue when a person is struck by an uninsured motorist. For instance, perhaps you are cycling to work because you want to save money on your commute. While you are riding your bike, another driver runs a stop sign and hits you, leading to serious injuries. It turns out that the driver does not have any insurance at all. Why would they do this?
Financial issues
The top reason is likely that the driver does not want to pay the insurance premiums, or they believe they cannot afford it. Financial issues are commonly cited by uninsured drivers. They need transportation but feel that the premiums are too expensive. As a result, they decide to drive without proper insurance – rather than seeking other modes of transportation, such as riding the bus or their bike.
Inaccurate perceptions of risk
Another potential issue is that people analyze the risk and simply decide that the odds are they will not be involved in an accident. They think that they are good enough drivers to avoid a crash, so they do not need to bother paying for insurance. But the reality is that accidents happen all the time, even to “good” drivers.
If you have been struck by an uninsured motorist, it can certainly complicate the legal process of seeking compensation, so it may help to work with an experienced law firm.
