Dallas Underinsured Motorist Accident Attorney
Texas Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accidents
With the United States experiencing economic instability and a high rate of unemployment, many individuals are cutting their spending habits and pinching their pennies. Unfortunately, a lot of people choose to get rid of their car insurance, a very dangerous action that can negatively affect both themselves and others in the event of an auto accident.
The Insurance Research Council released a study in 2009 that correlated the economic downturn with the number of uninsured drivers. They found that approximately one in six drivers in the U.S. is uninsured, which is estimated to be about 16 percent of all drivers on U.S. roadways.
Texas in particular has a high rate of uninsured drivers. The Texas Department of Insurance reported in July of 2010 that approximately 21.3 percent of registered vehicles in Texas were not insured. Kenedy and Cameron counties had the highest percentage of uninsured registered vehicles; with 47.8 and 30.7 percent, respectively.
Any time a Texas state trooper or police officer does a traffic stop, they are supposed to ask the driver for their insurance card. In Texas, driving without insurance can result in a fine of up to $200, plus a $250 surcharge annually for three years, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Another violation during that three-year time period of driving without insurance results in an additional $250 annual fee. This is part of the Texas Driver Responsibility Program that was put into action to deter individuals from continuing to drive without insurance.
If a person knows they should have car insurance, but can’t afford much, they may purchase a cheap plan that offers them and any person they are involved in an accident with little coverage. This is called being an underinsured motorist.
What happens if you are in a Carrollton Texas car accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist? If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you are covered through your insurance company. This coverage will compensate you if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured and their insurance can’t compensate you for your injuries, medical bills, property damages, pain and suffering, and other costs related to your Texas car accident. This type of coverage also generally covers hit-and-run accidents as well as if you are a passenger in another vehicle and suffer injuries in a collision and the car’s owner was uninsured or underinsured.
However, even if you do have uninsured/underinsured coverage, there’s never a guarantee that the insurance company will fully cooperate with you. Often in these cases two different insurance companies are involved, which can create a headache for everyone involved. You may want to get in touch with a Texas car accident attorney and let them help you handle the stressful situation.
If you don’t have underinsured/uninsured coverage through your insurance company, there are still options available to you to receive compensation from your Texas car crash with an underinsured or uninsured driver. If you are working with a Texas car collision lawyer, they may be able to hold another person, party or entity partially or fully liable for the Texas car accident.
If you’ve been injured in a Texas car accident, skilled Lewisville car crash attorney Ms. Dina Steele of Steele Law, P.C., is ready to talk with you about your case. Ms. Dina Steele has the resources and experience in going up against insurance companies and will work to ensure you receive just compensation for your Texas car crash. Steele Law, P.C. offers free consultations, contact the firm today.