The aftermath of any car accident in Houston is taxing both emotionally and physically. But it can even get more complicated than that—learning that the other party is underinsured (or uninsured entirely) can undo conventional wisdom about what to do after a car accident.
But even when you’re hit by a driver without insurance, you still have rights and options for receiving the compensation you need from the responsible motorist.
The Houston uninsured and underinsured accident lawyers at Grimes and Fertitta can help you make sense of it all while giving you the legal protection you deserve. Get your case off to the right start: contact us online or call 713-224-7644 to schedule a consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.
Understanding Texas insurance requirements
When an insured driver is hit by an uninsured driver, it’s easy for fear and uncertainty to take over. That’s why it’s important to start by understanding the law in terms of insurance. The Texas Transportation Code dictates that every single motorist is required to carry a minimum liability policy on their insurance that covers:
- $30,000 per injured person
- $60,000 minimum total limit
- $25,000 for property damage
Despite this law, many drivers still choose to ignore the insurance requirements. It’s estimated that around 20% of all drivers on the roads are uninsured. That equates to roughly 1.6 million uninsured Texas drivers on the road today.
What can you do if you’re hit by an uninsured driver in Texas?
The Texas state law allows you to hold the motorist who caused your accident legally responsible for damage incurred. Your first instinct may be to find out if you can sue an uninsured driver — while the answer is yes, it may not always be worthwhile.
The factors that affect the case include the general circumstances, facts available about the accident, and the severity of injuries/damages. Sometimes, suing an uninsured driver for damages might not be viable simply because the uninsured driver doesn’t have the money to cover the damages in the first place. The average uninsured motorist payouts aren’t much, with the average being below $10,000.
On the other hand, it’s also possible to discover that the uninsured party had not renewed their insurance and has the money to cover the damages. This is where litigation may come into play.
Your first step should be to contact Houston’s premier uninsured and underinsured law experts of Grimes & Fertitta. Together, we can help you:
- Analyze and understand your current insurance policy
- Investigate the accident and parties at fault
- Determine fault through negligence on behalf of the uninsured driver
- File a claim with ample documentation
- Get the settlement you deserve from your insurance
