San Antonio Car Accident Attorneys at Carabin Shaw - Bexar County Insurance Laws for Victims

Bexar County is a busy Texas county for car crashes, with nearly 49,000 in 2023. The majority of those accidents occurred within San Antonio, which resulted in 164 fatalities and 612 serious injuries. Texas law requires all motorists in the state to carry auto insurance that protects themselves and others involved in vehicle accidents. Will insurance provide enough compensation for your medical bills, vehicle damage, and lost wages?

The Carabin Shaw car accident lawyers help victims pursue damages after a car accident in Texas. If an insurance claim is your best recourse, our team will ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve. Our Spanish- and English-speaking professionals are available to you 24/7. Contact us now at 800-862-1260 for a free case review.

In no-fault states, accident victims can seek compensation without proving who was at fault. Texas is an at-fault state, which means the party responsible for the crash is liable for damages. Before seeking damages, you must establish fault through accident reports, witness statements, and other evidence. When you contact San Antonio auto accident attorneys immediately following your accident, they can help you collect the necessary evidence before it is lost or forgotten.

You can seek compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Texas uses the proportionate responsibility principle that states if a driver’s fault in an accident is less than 50%, they may be eligible for a percentage of damages based on their portion of responsibility. For example, if you were 30% at fault in the accident, you could collect 70% of the compensation awarded to you. Your lawyer can guide you through the nuances of proportionate responsibility law to ensure you receive fair treatment.

Texas requires all drivers to carry a minimum liability coverage, ensuring the driver who caused the accident has coverage for other drivers who suffer injuries or property damage in the crash.

Liability minimums include:

• $30,000 of coverage per person
• $60,000 of coverage per accident
• $25,000 of coverage for property damage

This requirement is known as 30/60/25 coverage. While these amounts appear large, expenses can quickly surpass these limits if injuries are catastrophic or lead to permanent disability.

Drivers can get additional coverage to protect themselves from paying additional damages out of their pocket. Coverage options include:

• Personal injury protection (PIP) for you and your passengers’ medical bills
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) if an uninsured or unknown driver hits you
• Collision coverage for damage to your vehicle
• Towing and labor coverage if your car requires roadside assistance or a tow
• Comprehensive coverage for stolen vehicles or damage from something other than a collision

These additions are options, but if you refuse PIP or UIM, you must notify your insurance company in writing.

Although Texas requires insurance coverage, some motorists still drive without it. If you are hurt by one of these drivers, your compensation options are more limited. You can turn to your own insurance company if you have PIP or UIM, or you can file a lawsuit against the responsible party.

After a car accident in Texas, you have three options:

• File a first-party claim with your insurance company if you have PIP or UIM
• File a third-party claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company
• File a personal injury lawsuit against responsible parties

Some accident victims assume the insurance companies will take care of their damages and don’t need an attorney’s assistance. Unfortunately, this gives insurance companies the upper hand and allows them to take advantage of your situation. Insurance companies often try to offer lowball settlements or deny claims to save the company money.

When an accident occurs, you need someone to protect your rights and maximize compensation. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t pay until you get paid. Read our reviews to see what we’ve done for other accident victims like you, and contact us toll-free at 800-862-1260.

For more information:

• DoT Texas
• Statutes Capitol Texas
• TDI Texas