Do You Need Uninsured Motorist Insurance?
Uninsured motorist insurance coverage is not required in Texas, but it can protect you in car accidents involving other drivers.
When car accidents occur, insurance coverage often can be used to pay for the medical expenses and property damages you and other drivers suffer. If you are at fault, your insurance company can held you avoid potential legal liability. If the other driver is to blame, you can seek compensation for your injuries through their insurance policy. If they are uninsured, your own insurance coverage may help to cover the costs you incur, but this type of insurance is not mandatory in Texas. In this scenario, our El Paso car accident attorneys can help you explore other options in getting the compensation you need to recover.
Insurance Coverage Requirements In Texas
According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), drivers are required to purchase a mandatory amount of liability insurance coverage, to cover the medical expenses and property damages other drivers suffer in the event of a car accident for which they are to blame. New Mexico has similar laws in place. Unfortunately, even though it is required, some drivers fail to obtain coverage. Reasons for this include:
- They may be reluctant to pay the higher insurance premiums most companies charge if they have a poor driving record.
- Depending on the types of driving offenses or prior car accidents, they may be unable to find an insurance company willing to cover them.
- They may be driving illegally, without a license or their vehicle may not be registered.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), as many of 15 percent of drivers in Texas and more than 20 percent of those in New Mexico do not have a valid insurance policy in place. To protect yourself against the high costs of car accidents and injuries involving these types of drivers, you may wish to add uninsured/underinsured coverage to your existing policy. While both Texas and New Mexico do not require this coverage, they do require insurance companies to offer it and to verify that you are refusing this coverage in writing.
In the event you are involved with an uninsured driver and do not have uninsured/underinsured coverage, there are several options:
- Ensure that your insurance company did offer it, as required by law, and obtained your written refusal of the offer.
- File a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver in court. Depending on the situation, you may be able to seek damages that are in excess of what an insurance policy would typically cover.
Even if the at fault driver is currently unemployed or has little income, the court can utilize wage garnishment and other enforcement efforts until the debt is paid.
Let Our El Paso and Las Cruces Car Accident Attorneys Assist You
Even a minor crash or collision can leave you suffering serious injuries, requiring ongoing medical care while preventing you from working or engaging in your normal activities. In these situations, our El Paso car accident attorneys are here to help. Contact the Lovett Law Firm and request a consultation in our Texas or New Mexico offices today.