Texas is considered a “fault” state for the purposes of personal injury law. It means the insurance companies here first determine who caused an accident and then provide coverage for the actual damages.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in an automobile accident in Texas, it is best to consult with a Texas car accident lawyer to explore your legal rights and options.
According to this “at-fault” system in Texas, all drivers are required to carry the following minimum insurance amounts:
- $25,000 for property damage
- $30,000 per individual for physical injuries
- $60,000 per accident for physical injuries
This is considered a basic insurance amount in Texas and it is used to pay for the other party’s property damage and medical bills if the accident was your fault. Similarly, if the other party was responsible for the accident, their basic insurance amount will cover your injuries and damages.
If you are not sure who caused the accident, or if you have any questions about your case, talking with a Texas car accident lawyer will help immensely.
Consequences of Lapsed Insurance
Lapsed insurance is when there is a lapse or gap in your insurance coverage. For example, if you have failed to pay your most recent car insurance premiums even after receiving notice from your insurance company, it is likely that you have lapsed insurance.
If you are involved in a crash with a driver who either has lapsed insurance or no insurance, filing a lawsuit against them may be extremely challenging because the likelihood of obtaining a judgment in Texas is not great. With that said, the responsibility of establishing “fault” will fall on you.
But just because a driver has lapsed or has no insurance does not mean they can get away with hurting you; they can still be held accountable for their actions by an experienced Texas car accident lawyer.
Drivers with lapsed or no insurance also face a variety of fines and penalties. Under Texas personal injury law, first-time offenders face a fine. If it is found that the driver committed subsequent offenses, the state can revoke their driving license or even impound their vehicle for good.
Why Having Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) is Important
If you get into an accident with someone in Texas who has lapsed insurance or no insurance at all, there is no guarantee that you will be fully compensated even if the civil court gives you a favorable judgment. It would not matter if you have no responsibility for the accident and your Texas car accident lawyer has made a rock-solid case. It will all be useless if you cannot collect monetary compensation from the defendant.
Fortunately, this is where buying uninsured motorist coverage can come in handy. If you ever get into an accident with someone with no insurance or lapsed insurance, underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage will give you the extra protection.
Talk To A Reputable Texas Car Accident Lawyer For Free
Getting into a car or bike accident can be a horrifying experience. If you need help pursuing civil litigation against the negligent party, working with a Texas car accident lawyer will not only give you peace of mind but also increase your odds of recovering compensation.
At Kirk Law Firm, PLLC, our team has 60+ years of combined experience in handling automobile accident claims and can help you get the damages you deserve. Contact us online to request a free evaluation of your case.
