Even the best, most cautious drivers can find themselves in a serious accident. That’s scary to think about, but it can become a true nightmare if the driver who caused the crash is underinsured or lacks insurance altogether.
Texas law requires motorists to carry what’s known as 30/60 coverage, which means an at-fault driver’s liability insurance pays up to $30,000 per person to cover the harms done, including medical care and injuries up to a total of $60,000 per accident for all people injured in the collision, regardless of the number. For the vast majority of clients who have serious injuries, this amount of insurance is insufficient to cover the losses caused by a negligent driver. That’s why it’s critical to make sure your insurance policy includes as much underinsured motorist coverage as one can afford, which by contract provides coverage for injuries beyond the limits of the at-fault driver’s policy.
Although most people with Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage assume their own insurance will help them in the event they are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the reality is that most UM/UIM carriers force their own insureds to trial to recover the amount they are contractually entitled to under their insurance policy. In other words, while all insurance companies are happy to collect a client’s premiums, most refuse to pay out a fair and reasonable amount to their own insured unless and until a trial has occurred and a jury verdict forces the insurance company to pay what their own insured was entitled to from the beginning.
Our lawyers routinely sue insurance companies directly for violations of the Texas Insurance Code and their contractual obligations to UM/UIM insureds. We are one of the few firms in Texas that have handled complex cases that have helped change the legal landscape and law regarding UM/UIM claims. Although Texas law currently favors the insurance companies, we continue to fight for greater change that will allow UM/UIM insureds to collect what they are owed. For this reason and more, navigating the process without experienced legal counsel can be a very costly mistake.
Contact us if you have any questions about underinsurance policy coverage or any other injury accident issues.
