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Sunset West Legal Group, PC represents people hit by uninsured and underinsured drivers across Los Angeles and California, and has recovered over $150 million for injury clients. Founding partner Payton Kashani handles the UM/UIM claims and arbitration that these cases turn on, forcing your own insurer to pay what it owes. We work on a no win, no fee basis and offer free consultations. Available 24/7. Hablamos Español.
When the driver who hurt you has no insurance, or not enough, the fight often shifts to your own insurance company, and it will not simply hand over what you are owed. Sunset West Legal Group knows how to pursue these claims and how to win them at arbitration when an insurer refuses to be fair.
These are among the most technically complex injury claims, because the compensation comes through insurance rules rather than a straightforward claim against an at-fault driver. Handled well, that coverage can be the difference between full recovery and financial hardship.
Over $150 million recovered. More than 200 five-star reviews. No fee unless we win. Available 24/7. Hablamos Español.
California’s Insurance Code defines an uninsured vehicle as one not covered by a liability policy. That includes several situations beyond a driver who simply carries no insurance.
A vehicle is treated as uninsured where coverage is denied, such as for an excluded driver, or where the vehicle was stolen. A hit-and-run vehicle whose owner cannot be identified counts as uninsured. So does a vehicle whose insurer goes out of business while your claim is still pending.
Around one in six California drivers is uninsured, so this is a far more common problem than most people expect.
Uninsured motorist coverage comes in two forms, and the difference matters.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury, or UMBI, covers injuries to you and anyone in your vehicle when an uninsured, at-fault driver causes the crash. The benefit cannot exceed your own personal liability limit.
Uninsured motorist property damage, or UMPD, pays for damage to your car in the same situation, but it is capped at $3,500 and only applies when the uninsured driver has been identified.
This coverage is offered to every California motorist, but it is optional. A driver can decline it, though only in writing, and declining it is a decision many later regret.
California law requires every driver to carry insurance, but many carry only the legal minimum. As of January 1, 2025, under Senate Bill 1107, those minimum limits are $30,000 for injury or death to one person, $60,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage.
Even these raised limits often fall short of what a serious injury actually costs. A single herniated disc can generate more than $30,000 in medical bills alone, before lost wages and future care.
That is the gap underinsured motorist coverage fills. It covers your injury costs when the at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough to pay for the harm they caused, up to your own policy limit. This protection has grown even more important since a 2026 change reduced the uninsured motorist coverage that Uber and Lyft carry during a trip.
To bring an uninsured motorist claim, you must establish that the other driver was at fault and was uninsured. That makes prompt notice to your insurer essential, and prompt notice is required for an underinsured claim too, within a limited window.
An uninsured claim resembles an ordinary car accident claim in one respect: the insurer will often open with an immediate offer for as little as possible. Where a fair settlement cannot be reached, these claims are resolved through formal arbitration, and we are well equipped to serve a demand and present your case. If arbitration does not resolve the matter, a hearing before an arbitrator produces a binding decision.
Insurers count on claimants not knowing this process. We use it to hold them to account.
Sunset West Legal Group has recovered over $150 million for clients across California, including a $2 million full-policy recovery in a collision that required a comparative-fault rebuttal. Founding partner Payton Kashani has been licensed in California since 2012 and named to Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list every year from 2018 to 2022. Attorney Josh Teller supports the firm’s cases and holds Rising Stars recognition for 2025 and 2026.
We advise you at every step, negotiate hard with your insurer, and take a case to arbitration or trial when that is what fair compensation requires.
Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. Our team is available 24/7 to review your case and explain your options.
Get your free consultation · Call us any time · Hablamos Español
At Sunset West Legal Group, we understand that every injury case is different. We have recovered millions for our clients by advising them on the next steps, negotiating on their behalf with powerful insurance companies, and even representing clients in court in front of a jury. Your free consultation is the first step in letting us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
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WHY YOU NEED US NOW
I am very pleased by his work ethic and professionalism.
“I met and became acquainted with Mr. Kashani after my previous attorney was not capable of continuing my case to a trial. Mr. Kashani was able to step in and not only settle my case before trial, but he was able to secure a much larger settlement for me. I would certainly recommend him to my friends and family”
Los Angeles, CA - Car Accident
I am very pleased by his work ethic and professionalism.
“I met and became acquainted with Mr. Kashani after my previous attorney was not capable of continuing my case to a trial. Mr. Kashani was able to step in and not only settle my case before trial, but he was able to secure a much larger settlement for me. I would certainly recommend him to my friends and family”
Los Angeles, CA - Car Accident
I am very pleased by his work ethic and professionalism.
“I met and became acquainted with Mr. Kashani after my previous attorney was not capable of continuing my case to a trial. Mr. Kashani was able to step in and not only settle my case before trial, but he was able to secure a much larger settlement for me. I would certainly recommend him to my friends and family”
Los Angeles, CA - Car Accident
