Texas Under-insured and Uninsured Motorist Accident Claims
Under Texas financial responsibility laws, at-fault drivers are required to pay for the accidents they cause. They must show proof of financial responsibility, generally in the form of liability insurance meeting certain minimum coverage requirements. Failure to do so can result in fines, license suspension, jail time and other criminal penalties.
Nevertheless, about 13 percent of all Texas motorists – or 2.6 million people – drive without minimum insurance coverage in violation of state law.
Even when at-fault drivers carry the minimum liability insurance coverage required by law, that coverage may not be enough to pay for all the injuries and damage they have caused.
Minimum liability limits in Texas are 30/60/25 – $30,000 for each injured person, up to $60,000 total for each accident, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. With the high costs of medical treatment and lost wages, it is easy to see that minimum coverage is not enough in many cases.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a driver who had no insurance or too little, you should consult with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Let the law offices of Kraft & Associates, P.C., advise you about your legal rights. We’re an established and professional law firm with friendly lawyers and staff who are easy to talk to. Please call us at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online.
Dallas Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claims
If the driver at fault for your injuries was not carrying liability insurance or did not have enough insurance to cover your damages, you may be entitled to file a claim under the uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in your own auto insurance policy. This coverage should pay for your damages up to the policy limits. However, it is often not that simple in practice.
Given the fact that you are a paying customer of your own insurance company, you may expect the adjuster to protect your rights and act in your best interest. However, an insurance company is a business with the company’s bottom line as its priority. Adjusters may try to convince you to accept a lowball initial offer to minimize the amount the company pays out.
Our lawyers are familiar with the tactics some insurance companies use in an attempt to get claimants to settle quickly for less compensation than they deserve. Our job is to protect your rights and ensure that you get a fair settlement. We are ready to negotiate on your behalf, and we will not hesitate to go to court if that’s what it takes for you to get the compensation you deserve.
UM Claims for Hit-and-Run Accidents in Texas
It is a crime in Texas to leave the scene of an accident, but hit-and-run accidents happen every day. A driver at fault for an accident, not wanting to face the legal and financial consequences, simply leaves the scene without exchanging insurance or contact information with the other people involved.
If this has happened to you and there was contact between the other vehicle and yours, you may file a claim under your UM/UIM insurance coverage. As with any auto accident insurance claim, you should consult with an attorney before signing anything or discussing the accident with adjusters.
At Kraft & Associates, P.C., our lawyers are committed to protecting your rights and helping you obtain fair compensation for your hit-and-run accident claim.
Bad-Faith Insurance Lawsuits in Texas
Texas is among the majority of states whose courts have held that UM insurance carriers have a duty of good faith to their policyholders in settling and handling UM claims. When that duty is breached, the recovery of damages and other types of relief are permitted.
If your insurance company fails to handle your UM or UIM claim in good faith, you may be entitled to damages that exceed the policy limits.
At Kraft & Associates, P.C., our job is to ensure that your rights are protected and to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. This includes making sure you get all the compensation you are entitled to under your UM/UIM coverage.
Contact a Dallas Uninsured or Underinsured Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver or someone who had no insurance or too little coverage, you should speak with an experienced UM claim attorney to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Please call Kraft & Associates, P.C., at (214) 999-9999, or you can send us an e-mail at kraftlaw@kraftlaw.com, or complete our online form for a free assessment of your case.
Sources:
- Texas Department of Insurance – Automobile Insurance Made Easy
- Insurance Journal – Number of Uninsured Drivers on Texas Roads Drops http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2012/07/05/254593.htm
- Baylor University – Are You In Good Hands? Whether Bad-Faith Actions for Wrongful Denials of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims Still Exist in Texas