Lack of Liability Insurance Prevents Uninsured Motorists From Collecting Non-Economic Damages

It's important to carry liability car insurance in California. If you're seriously injured in an accident, the law gives you the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit and seek a financial award from the driver whose negligence caused the crash. However, if you're an uninsured motorist, California's Proposition 213 prevents you from pursuing and collecting certain types of damages to which you'd otherwise be entitled. Don't let a lack of liability car insurance and law knowledge rob you of the chance to fight for the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Prop 213 and the Importance of Liability Car Insurance

California is a fault car insurance state that requires motorists to carry a minimum of liability insurance on their vehicle or face stiff penalties, such as fines and suspension of vehicle registration. In 1996, the state took this mandate a step further with the passage of Proposition 213. A punitive statute heavily promoted by the insurance companies, Prop 213 effectively prevents uninsured motorists from collecting general or non-economic damages after a car accident, even if they weren't the driver who caused the accident.

General or non-economic damages—also known as “pain and suffering” damages—include:

• Physical pain
• Mental or emotional suffering
• Disfigurement
• Loss of quality of life

Under Prop 213, if a motorist isn't carrying the minimum amount of liability insurance at the time of an accident, he's not eligible to file a lawsuit to receive compensation for general or non-economic damages. This can make it much more difficult for car accident injury victims to get the help they need to recover.

However, Prop 213 doesn't affect their ability to pursue compensation for easily-calculable economic damages, such as:

• Past, present, and future medical bills related to the accident
• Property damage to the vehicle
• Lost wages if the car accident injuries cause victims to miss work
• Loss of earning potential, if injuries force someone to take a lower-paying position than he or she held previously

Fortunately, the state of California offers a variety of resources that help motorists obtain liability insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the required amounts.

Exceptions to Prop 213

While Prop 213 is a harsh law, it does contain two notable exceptions.

1. Prop 213 applies only to the uninsured individual driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, not the passengers. So, while the driver is unable to seek non-economic pain and suffering damages, the passengers in the vehicle can still file personal injury lawsuits to pursue damages for physical pain, mental and emotional suffering, disfigurement, and loss of quality of life.
    
2. Across the board, Prop 213 doesn't apply in situations where the motorist who caused the accident was driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. The proposition determines that a motorist charged with DUI was more reckless. Consequently, other people shouldn't have to suffer because of his or her actions. In this instance, a California uninsured driver can still sue for compensation to recover non-economic damages.

Were You Injured in an Accident?

If you were injured in a serious car accident in California, you need a team of knowledgeable injury recovery specialists to help you get the best compensation possible. The skilled personal injury attorneys with the Inland Empire Law Group can help you explore your legal options, and fight for the recovery you need and deserve. Contact our Victorville or Rancho Cucamonga law offices today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.