Despite state laws requiring all Texas drivers to have auto insurance coverage, many Midland drivers are currently uninsured or underinsured. A study conducted by the Insurance Research Council found that approximately 14% of Texas drivers are uninsured, and this number does not even account for all of the Texans who are underinsured. If you’ve been involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you may be wondering how you will receive compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Fortunately, our Midland auto accident lawyers are here to tell you about your options after a Midland auto accident with an uninsured driver.
Option 1: Your Own Auto Insurance Policy May Cover YouDepending on the type of auto insurance policy you have, you may be able to rely on your own insurance company to cover your damages. Because uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is optional, it is not included in every auto insurance plan. Whether or not you have this type of coverage will determine whether or not you can receive compensation from your insurer, and even if you do have this coverage, it may only apply in certain scenarios.
To find out if you can go this route, examine the details of your particular auto insurance policy, or call your insurance company. Your insurance agent can help you determine whether or not you are covered in your particular case.
Option 2: Rely Solely On Your Medical InsuranceIf you do not have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, another option is to rely solely on your medical insurance to cover your hospital bills after your Midland auto accident. However, our Midland auto injury lawyers do not generally recommend this course of action, because you will likely have to pay co-pay costs out of pocket. Another downside of this option is that you won’t be able to recover damages to cover the cost of your vehicle repairs.
Option 3: Sue the Other Driver for DamagesFinally, you have the option to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the uninsured or underinsured motorist. In Texas, the statute of limitations for these claims is two years, meaning you have two years from the date of the wreck to file your claim. However, this option is risky. If the driver could not afford car insurance, there is a good chance they will file bankruptcy.
If you decide to go this route, you will need to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who has experience handling cases with uninsured drivers.
Choosing the Right Car Accident Attorney in MidlandAt Carabin Shaw, we employ only the best Midland auto injury lawyers. We’ve been serving Texans for more than two decades, and our attorneys have extensive legal experience. To date, we’ve recovered more than $500 million in compensation for our clients, and we are skilled at knowing how to maximize the value of a claim. On top of that, Carabin Shaw was recently named by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of the top ten best personal injury firms in the state based on client satisfaction.
If you’re still on the fence, you should know that we offer all new clients a no cost, no obligation consultation with a lawyer, meaning you have absolutely nothing to lose by giving us a call. To find out how an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you after your Midland auto accident, call us today at 432-620-0544 to receive a free consultation with an attorney serving Midland. Let us help you get your life back on track.