Uninsured Motorist Accidents: What to Do

If you get in an uninsured motorist accident, you will have to pay extra attention to the next steps to make sure you get compensated for property damage and injuries. We recommend going through the steps below and also contacting a Beaumont car accident lawyer who can give you the most accurate and actionable suggestions aimed at maximizing compensation after being hit by a uninsured driver.

Texas Laws and Regulations

Texas is an at-fault state. The driver who causes an accident is responsible for covering the financial losses and damages resulting from the crash. That rule applies to all drivers, including underinsured and uninsured ones. All the legal details pertaining to the at-fault stipulation can be discovered in the Texas Transportation Code.

Fault is going to be determined through the legal process following a car crash. The at-fault driver’s insurance will cover damages. If you suffered injuries, you can consider an additional personal injury claim that will compensate you for medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as permanent disabilities.

At-fault states have a minimum insurance requirement for all drivers. In Texas, that minimum is as follows:

• 30,000 dollars in bodily injury coverage per person
• 25,000 dollars in property damage coverage
• 60,000 dollars per accident

Uninsured Motorist Accident Coverage in Texas

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 14 percent of all motorists are uninsured. That’s approximately one in seven U.S. drivers. Texas figures are really close to the national average – 13.8 percent of drivers are uninsured. Luckily, the number has been declining steadily for several years now.

Most Texas insurance companies offer an extra in the form of uninsured motorist accident coverage on top of your car insurance. Getting such coverage is the smart thing to do, as it will compensate for losses and damages in the event of a collision that involves an uninsured driver.

Usually, uninsured motorist coverage cannot exceed standard liability coverage.

So, while insurance is obligatory in Texas, there are still drivers who’ll break the rules. The best thing to do is to get uninsured motorist coverage that will help you recover after a crash. If you don’t have such coverage, there is still an alternative you can pursue with the help of a Beaumont car accident lawyer.

Can You File a Lawsuit Against an Uninsured Driver Who Hit Your Car?

Your insurance coverage will have some limitations and you may be missing uninsured motorist coverage. In that instance, you’ll probably think about a lawsuit that will help you recover some financial compensation, especially if the other driver is at fault for the crash.

A lawsuit will usually be considered whenever your own insurance coverage (car and health) is insufficient to compensate you for the losses and the medical bills you incurred. That happens in serious crashes that total your car or cause major injuries that have the potential to alter your life in the long run.

Lawsuits can also be pursued to get coverage for your non-economic losses. In car crashes, those losses usually come in the form of pain and suffering or the loss of your ability to earn an income.

If there is an intentional element or serious negligence on top of the lack of insurance, you will increase your chances of recovering compensation in court. To build a solid case, however, you’ll need to start working with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Is It a Good Idea to Hire a Beaumont Car Crash Attorney After Being Hit by an Uninsured Driver?

It’s always a good idea to get assistance from a reputable Texas law firm, especially one that has extensive experience with car accident and personal injury claims.

The right Beaumont car accident lawyer will help you address the difficulties stemming from the lack of insurance on behalf of the uninsured driver. Don’t wait and get started immediately after you’re ready to initiate action after the crash. Call 409-222-2222 and benefit from the Brent Coon & Associates free case review.