Dallas Underinsured / Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney

Although liability insurance is required by state law in Texas, more than two million motorists in Dallas and all across our state have no liability insurance at all. A few million other drivers, meanwhile, are underinsured.

At the same time, there are more than 15 million drivers in Texas who carry auto insurance coverage. Statistically speaking, that means that if you are stuck in traffic jams and are surrounded by 20 vehicles, at least three of them are most likely uninsured, while several others may not carry enough liability coverage to cover your damages and losses in the event of a car accident.

Since there are millions of uninsured and underinsured motorists in Texas, auto insurance companies offer drivers uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which are optional in our state.

“Unfortunately, the vast majority of drivers in Texas purchase only what’s required by law and opt for the bare minimum insurance coverage,” warns our Dallas underinsured and uninsured motorist accident attorney at the Law Office of Dorothy Hyde.

Recovering damages after a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Dallas or elsewhere in Texas can feel like an uphill battle, especially if you do not carry the optional uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. In many cases, drivers who sustain injuries in car crashes involving uninsured motorists and do not exhaust all legal options to seek reimbursement are unable to seek full compensation for their losses and damages.

If you own a car registered in the State of Texas, there are only three types of auto insurance coverage you need to be familiar with:

1. Liability insurance coverage, which is required by state law and pays for medical expenses caused by the insured to other motorists and pedestrians as well as other people’s property damages. If you are at fault for causing a motor vehicle accident, liability insurance coverage will not cover your own medical expenses and property damage.
2. Collision insurance coverage, also known as comprehensive coverage, which provides coverage to cover the cost of repairs associated with property damage and protect the value of your vehicle in the event of a car accident. This type of auto insurance coverage does not cover medical expenses, loss of income, and other losses.
3. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM), which are two optional coverages in Texas. Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) covers your damages and losses in the event of a car crash with a driver who is not insured or cannot be identified (for example, in a hit-and-run accident). Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), on the other hand, kicks in to fill the gap when the at-fault motorist does not have sufficient insurance coverage to compensate you for all your losses and damages. Basically, the UIM coverage kicks in to make up the difference, which could not have been covered by the other driver’s insurance.

Our Dallas uninsured motorist accident attorney reminds that Texas law sets the minimum insurance coverage requirements as follows:

• At least $30,000 per injured person
• At least $60,000 total per accident and
• At least $25,000 for property damage

As you can guess, these amounts will be exhausted in no time in a serious car crash, which is why so many injured victims struggle with recovering damages in car accidents with uninsured and underinsured motorists. Remember: just having the required auto insurance coverage does not mean that your insurance company will agree to provide coverage without asking any questions or conducting its own investigation. Insurance companies are businesses, who make money by denying and minimizing personal injury and property damage claims.

That’s why being represented by a skilled uninsured and underinsured motorist accident lawyer in Dallas or elsewhere in Texas is so important to protect your rights. Contact the Law Office of Dorothy Hyde to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case. Call our offices at (214) 883-1700.