At the Hollingsworth Law Firm, our Houston personal injury attorneys know firsthand that Texas drivers face a unique set of laws regarding auto insurance, which can significantly impact your injury claim following an accident.
Whether you’ve suffered minor injuries or severe trauma, understanding how Texas insurance regulations work is essential to protecting your rights and maximizing your compensation. Here, our Harris County auto accident lawyers break down Texas auto insurance laws and how they affect personal injury claims.
Texas is an “At-Fault” State
Texas follows an at-fault system for car accidents, which means the driver responsible for causing the accident is also responsible for covering the resulting damages. This differs from no-fault states, where each driver’s insurance covers their damages regardless of fault.
In Texas, injured parties can seek compensation by:
- Filing a claim with their insurance company (if they have applicable coverage).
- Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
What are the Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Texas?
Texas law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage they cause to others.
The minimum required coverage is often called 30/60/25, meaning:
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person.
- $60,000 for bodily injury per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage per accident.
While this coverage is meant to protect drivers financially, it’s often not enough to cover the costs of severe injuries or multiple injured parties. Our Houston Car accident attorneys will explore each type of insurance available to ensure our clients’ overall compensation needs are adequately accounted for. s
What Types of Insurance Affect Personal Injury Claims in Texas?
As the minimum required insurance, liability coverage pays for injuries and damages caused by the at-fault driver. If you are injured in an accident, you can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability policy. However, this may not cover all your medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, especially in serious accidents.
Other potential insurance policies can help cover all damages, including:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Texas insurers are required to offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, but drivers can reject it in writing. PIP covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs, regardless of fault, up to the policy limit. Even if you are partly at fault for the accident, you can use PIP benefits to cover some immediate costs.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
Texas drivers are also offered Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This optional coverage protects you if the at-fault driver has no insurance or inadequate coverage to compensate for your damages. UM/UIM can be a crucial safety net, especially in severe accidents where the at-fault driver’s liability limits fall short.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage
MedPay is another optional coverage that helps pay medical bills, regardless of fault. It’s similar to PIP but typically does not cover lost wages or non-medical expenses. It can help cover co-pays, deductibles, and other immediate medical costs after an accident.
Dealing with Insurance Companies in Texas
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by disputing fault, downplaying injuries, or offering quick settlements. It’s essential to be cautious when dealing with insurance adjusters and avoid accepting the first settlement offer without consulting a personal injury attorney.
Here are some tips to handle insurance claims effectively:
- Provide Accurate Information: Stick to the facts when speaking with insurance adjusters, but avoid detailed statements about the accident until you’ve consulted with an attorney.
- Don’t Sign Anything Without Legal Counsel: Do not sign any documents, especially release forms, without legal advice.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your medical treatment, expenses, lost wages, and communications with insurance companies.
Navigating Texas auto insurance laws and dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, especially when recovering from an injury. Our experienced Texas personal injury attorneys can help you understand your coverage and potential avenues for compensation, investigate the accident to establish fault and liability and negotiate with insurance companies to pursue fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Houston Today
Contact our dedicated Houston personal injury attorneys at the Hollingsworth Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. Call 713-637-4560 or contact us online.
Our skilled bilingual personal injury lawyers and support staff represent clients throughout Texas on a contingency basis, so you never pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
If you are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, so are we. Let us take the lead.
