Why Covering Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists on California Roads Matters More Than Ever
SANTA CLARITA, Calif., July 14, 2026 /24-7Press Release/ — Collisions with uninsured or underinsured drivers remain one of the most overlooked risks on California roadways, and the financial burden often falls on the victim. Barry P. Goldberg’s team of car accident attorneys serving the Santa Clarita Valley is bringing attention to the issue as the number of drivers without adequate insurance coverage continues to rise.
Nationally, 15.4% of drivers were uninsured in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute. California ranks among the worst states in the country, with about one in five drivers having no insurance at all. Add underinsured drivers to the mix, and an even larger share will be unable to pay for the damages caused by a serious accident.
On January 1, 2025, the California Driver Protection Act (SB 1107) increased California’s minimum liability limits for the first time since 1967, roughly doubling required coverage to $30,000 per injured person and $60,000 per accident. Even with these minimums, one serious injury could exhaust these limits within a few days, leaving the injured driver to make up the difference.
“Most people assume that the other driver’s insurance will cover them,” said Barry P. Goldberg, founding attorney of Barry P. Goldberg and a longtime authority on California uninsured motorist law. “However, too often this does not happen. When this happens, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance becomes the difference between paying for your losses and covering them yourself. Knowing how to use this coverage and negotiate with insurance companies is where legal experience makes the most difference.”
Known as Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, this coverage covers medical bills, lost income and other damages when the at-fault driver fails to do so. However, claiming damages under your own policy often means negotiating with the very insurance company you pay every month, and those claims can be just as litigious as a case against the other driver.
Barry P. Goldberg offers free consultations to anyone injured in an accident in Santa Clarita and surrounding communities, including collisions involving uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. The firm handles cases on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront costs or fees unless it recovers the client’s damages.
About the company
Barry P. Goldberg is a California personal injury firm founded by attorney Goldberg, who has been practicing personal injury law in the state since 1984 and is recognized throughout California as a leading authority on the law for uninsured and underinsured motorists. With over forty years of experience, the firm represents injured clients in cases involving automobile, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, and e-bike accidents, as well as collisions, slip-and-fall injuries, dog bites, and wrongful death cases. The firm serves clients throughout Santa Clarita and Southern California. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with a Santa Clarita car accident lawyer, contact Barry P. Goldberg today.
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