You did everything right. You were driving carefully through Van Nuys, Northridge, or Sherman Oaks when another driver ran a red light and hit you. And then you discovered the worst possible piece of news: the other driver has no insurance. Now what?
Being hit by an uninsured driver is more common in the San Fernando Valley than most people realize. California has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation, with estimates suggesting that roughly one in eight California drivers carries no insurance at all. In dense, lower-income neighborhoods across the Valley, that number can be even higher.
The good news is that you have real options — and an experienced personal injury attorney can help you pursue every one of them.
Option 1: Your Own Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
If you have Uninsured Motorist coverage on your own auto insurance policy — and in California, insurers are required to offer it, though you can decline it in writing — this is typically your first and most reliable path to compensation.
UM coverage works exactly like a liability claim against the at-fault driver, except you are making the claim against your own insurance company. You still must prove the other driver was at fault. Your insurer will still try to minimize your payout. And you still need an attorney to negotiate effectively on your behalf.
One important point: California recently raised its minimum auto liability limits to $30,000/$60,000 effective January 1, 2025. If you purchased your UM coverage before this change, you may want to review your policy to make sure your UM limits match your new liability limits.
Option 2: Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
Sometimes the at-fault driver has insurance — but not enough to cover your damages. If you suffered a herniated disc, traumatic brain injury, or other serious injury in a collision on the 101, 405, or 118 freeway, the other driver’s $30,000 policy limit may not come close to covering your actual losses.
Underinsured Motorist coverage — separate from UM coverage — bridges this gap. UIM coverage pays the difference between the at-fault driver’s policy limit and your actual damages, up to your own UIM limit.
Option 3: Sue the At-Fault Driver Directly
You have the right to sue an uninsured driver directly in Los Angeles County Superior Court. For most San Fernando Valley personal injury cases, this means filing at the Van Nuys Courthouse.
The practical challenge with this option is collectability. Even if you win a judgment against an uninsured driver, collecting that money can be difficult if the driver has no assets. However, judgments in California are valid for 10 years and can be renewed. If the driver later acquires assets — a job, a bank account, a tax refund — you can pursue collection.
This option is most useful when the at-fault driver has assets — a home, a business, significant income — that make them worth suing.
Option 4: Third-Party Liability
In some cases, a third party shares liability for your accident — even if the uninsured driver was the primary at-fault party. Common examples include:
- The vehicle owner, if they negligently loaned their car to the uninsured driver
- An employer, if the uninsured driver was on the job at the time of the accident
- A government entity, if dangerous road conditions — like a poorly marked intersection in Van Nuys or a failed traffic signal in Northridge — contributed to the crash
- A vehicle manufacturer, if a defective part contributed to the accident
Identifying and pursuing these third-party claims requires an experienced attorney who conducts a thorough investigation early in the case — before evidence disappears.
What to Do Immediately After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver
- Call 911 and get a police report — this documents the accident and the other driver’s lack of insurance
- Photograph everything at the scene — vehicles, positions, road conditions, injuries
- Get the other driver’s name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle information even if they have no insurance
- Get witness names and contact information
- Seek medical attention immediately — do not wait
- Contact an attorney before calling your own insurance company — your insurer is not on your side even when you are the victim
At Girgis Law Firm, APC, attorney Anthony Girgis has extensive experience handling uninsured and underinsured motorist claims throughout the San Fernando Valley. He knows exactly how to pursue every available avenue of recovery when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance, and he handles all cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless he wins your case.
Injured in a car accident in the San Fernando Valley? Contact Girgis Law Firm, APC for a free consultation. Attorney Anthony Girgis represents accident victims throughout Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Northridge, Woodland Hills, and surrounding communities. Call (818) 986-5000 — no fees unless we win.
