Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Being involved in a car wreck is bad enough but it can be made worse if the driver who caused the accident does not have insurance or not enough insurance to cover the damage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance coverage (“UM/UIM”) will come into play in this common scenario.

In Texas, drivers are required to carry basic liability coverage. The law requires “the motorist or operator of a vehicle to provide evidence of financial responsibility.” More specifically, Texas drivers must carry liability insurance that provides $30,000.00 of coverage for each injured person, and up to $60,000.00 per accident.

The Texas Department of Transportation estimates that approximately 80% of drivers in Texas carry the minimum amount of coverage (30/60) however, despite mandatory liability insurance laws in Texas, 20% or one-fifth of the driving population does not carry any insurance.

Every day I see lives turned upside down by drivers who drive while impaired, distracted, or in a reckless manner and in most instances, the at-fault driver’s insurance will help pay for damage resulting from the accident. However, if the other driver does not have any – or enough – coverage, the result can be detrimental.

The number one reoccurring problem we see affecting our clients involves a lack of coverage or insufficient or no UM/UIM coverage on their own automobile policy. While Texas law does not require drivers to purchase UM/UIM as part of their policy, insurance companies are required to offer it. Adding insurance coverage to your current policy may cost you extra, but if you are in a serious wreck with and uninsured or underinsured driver, that extra money can cover the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical treatment. A UM/UIM policy removes the risks involved, gives you peace of mind, and leaves an avenue for compensation after a car accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligent acts, contact an experienced attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-222-7211 or 1-800-870-9584 for your free consultation. The law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is the longest standing personal injury firm in Texas, and our attorneys are standing by to assist with your claim.