Every car accident is a scary, stressful, and potentially expensive experience. Insurance is designed to protect us in these delicate moments, covering medical bills, repair costs, rentals, or anything else you need. This is why uninsured drivers are one of the most dangerous factors on the road. Auto insurance is designed to limit the burden of accidents. However, when there’s a car accident with someone uninsured, all of that burden can fall on you, regardless of fault. So how exactly do you protect yourself in these moments?
Hernandez Law Group, P.C. supports our customers by helping them understand their coverage options, learn how to file claims, and ultimately, get the compensation they deserve. With 98% success rate over a thousand plus cases, our legal team has secured millions for our customers. Don’t let uncertainty and hesitance make you miss out on what you’re entitled to. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your case!
What is an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Accident?
An uninsured or underinsured motorist accident occurs when the at-fault driver lacks liability insurance to cover the damages caused by the accident. This means zero compensation for medical bills, vehicle repairs, or any other losses. In these types of accidents, it can be difficult to get the payments you need. Typically, your options are filing a claim with your insurance, against a relevant third party, or with whatever insurance the at-fault driver has. Outside of claims, you can file a civil lawsuit to attempt to recover money for damages, but uninsured drivers typically won’t have many assets to cover your claim. In these types of accidents, every decision you make will have rippling effects throughout the process.
In these complicated times, an experienced and well-respected law firm can help you navigate the chaos. At Hernandez Law Group, P.C., our team fights to find any angle we can to get you what you deserve. Whether it’s standing up to the insurance companies, tracking down liable parties, or identifying every possible insurance coverage, we won’t stop until every stone is uncovered.
Dallas Requirements for Auto Insurance Coverage
Texas law requires drivers to show proof that they can pay for the accidents they cause. Most drivers do this by buying auto liability insurance. Liability insurance pays to repair or replace the other driver’s car, or other damaged property, and pays other people’s medical expenses when you’re at fault in an accident.
According to a study conducted from 2017 to 2023, the Insurance Research Council found the number of uninsured drivers to be increasing, just above 15% before the end of the study. This means that for every 20 drivers, 3 were uninsured. While that might not be scary now, the rate of growth suggests it will only get worse over time.
How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Protects You
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage directly protects you from damages caused by a hit-and-run or uninsured driver. Uninsured/underinsured coverage pays for:
- Car repairs and replacing the property in your car.
- A rental car if you need it.
- You and your passenger’s medical bills.
- Pain and suffering costs.
- Diminished value if your car is worth less after the accident.
It’s a valuable investment for most drivers since you never know when you will need it. Without it, it’s a lot more difficult to get the compensation you deserve.
Collision Coverage vs. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Dallas
Both collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage can pay for damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured driver, but they have their limitations.
Collision coverage applies to damage resulting from a collision with a vehicle or object, regardless of fault. It’s ideal for getting vehicle replacements, repairs, and other compensation, but doesn’t deal with other kinds of damage like medical bills.
Uninsured motorist coverage covers all damages received within the accident, but can only be used if the other party didn’t have insurance or hit and runs. This type of insurance is typically broken into two categories. Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury covers bodily harm, missed wages, pain and suffering, etc. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage covers repairs to your car.
Filing a Claim: Deadlines and Best Practices
Whether you’re making an insurance or a personal injury claim, time is of the essence. In Texas, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident, and insurance typically needs claims 30–60 days after the accident. This means you want to make good choices right from the beginning:
- Call the police to file an accident report
- Gather evidence like photos of the scene, property damage, and injuries.
- Collect relevant contact information
- Immediately notify your insurance provider
A police report is essential for any type of claim going forward, and pictures help you validate your compensation claims. Letting your insurance team know immediately may trigger any uninsured motorist coverage you may have and get you ready for any necessary claims down the line. Whatever steps you take, make sure you have proper documentation and relevant receipts because the burden of proving what you are owed is on you. Don’t lose out on what you’re owed because of carelessness and hesitation.
When to Contact an Experienced Dallas Personal Injury Attorney
Uninsured car accidents can be complicated. They create the perfect environment for greedy insurance companies to use their knowledge to get out of paying you what you’re owed. That’s why it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced Dallas personal injury attorney before any major claims. A professional law firm has experience standing up to insurance companies and spotting dangerous pitfalls right away. An effective personal injury attorney will:
- Investigate the accident and gather strong evidence
- Protect your rights and push insurance companies to value your claims
- Work to lower medical expenses
- Review your insurance policy to identify coverage options
- Identify liable third parties
- Negotiate a settlement that meets your needs
- Represent you in court, if necessary
To put it simply, the best time to contact a car accident attorney is when you’re ready to fight for what you are owed.
Why Hernandez Law Group, P.C. Is the Right Choice for Your Case
People across Dallas, Abilene, and Amarillo, Texas, continue to turn to Hernandez Law Group for personal injury claim lawsuits because they know they can trust us. For over two decades, our team has maintained a 98% success rate, securing millions for our Dallas clients. Juan Hernandez is among only 2% of Texas attorneys board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Board of Legal Specialization. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to guarantee your right to compensation is always protected.
Our team ensures your voice is heard. We offer a completely free consultation 24/7 so that we can be available for our community whenever they need us. Our emphasis on customer satisfaction doesn’t just stop there. At Hernandez Law Group, we stand by our “No Win, No Fee” policy, meaning our clients won’t pay any fees unless we win the case. All our services are available in both English and Spanish, catering to your case from start to finish. Contact us today to see if we’re the best fit for your case.
FAQs:
An uninsured or underinsured motorist accident happens when you are hit by someone with less than the required coverage, no coverage, or someone who leaves without identifying themselves.
According to the TDI, you can usually add more uninsured/underinsured coverage in $5,000 increments. A rule of thumb is to add at least enough property damage coverage to replace your vehicle.
Yes, you can still file a claim in hit-and-run cases
In Texas, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.
Yes, attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help you file claims without issue and gather relevant evidence to improve your chances of getting fair compensation.
