Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

This is a difficult question to answer based on the information provided. It is true that the insurance company is not obligated to disclose the policy limits before a complaint is filed. I don't know if you got that far in the case, but if you did, then you could find out. There are, however, other ways to find out about the policy limits, before a complaint is filed, and these may or may not have been used by your attorney. Some releases don't mention the insurance company, but most do, so that is somewhat unusual, but not critical to the setlement. It seems odd that there was no discussion with you before the settlement was entered into, so I am not sure why that happened. Also, I assume that the doctors you were sent to treated you on a lien, and generally they will take less then they billed, and your attorney should look into that. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE OR DON'T HAVE UIM COVERAGE. If the settlement was for less then the value of your case, find out from your own auto insurance broker if you had UIM coverage. If you owned a car, and had insurance, then you might have UIM coverage that you could pursue for the balance of the value of the case.

Write a letter to the attorney certified mail return receipt requested. Ask for copies of the complaint filed in the case, together with all other pleadings and discovery documents. Call them and get the case number so you can look up the case online or visit the courthouse to find out the status. The idea that the defendants don't have to disclose their insurance coverage is baloney. In your letter be in sure to mention that you previously requested the defendants' declarations page and you are again requesting it. Do not sign a release until you have received the copies from the attorney and until the attorney agrees to hold you harmless from, and you will not be liable for, any medical bills. If the attorney did not file a lawsuit, demand a written explanation of why no lawsuit was filed.