This state requires drivers to have liability insurance to cover damages and injuries to others when the driver is at fault. Unfortunately, many people fail to comply with those rules and drive without insurance coverage. Other people may drive in scenarios that invalidate their insurance—such as driving with a suspended license. In those instances, victims may struggle to recover for an accident.
This state is a fault state, which means that the at-fault party is the one responsible for paying for damages in an auto accident. Usually, a victim starts the process by filing a claim with the wrongdoer’s insurer. When they are not insured, you may not know where to start. Fortunately, there are some possibilities for recovery after uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Houston. Consult one of our dedicated auto collision attorneys today to learn more.
Compensation Options After Uninsured or Underinsured Car Wrecks
When the negligent party in a Houston car crash does not have insurance, you may think you are out of options. However, there are a few other ways to recover after an accident. Some of them are condition-specific, while others apply more broadly.
Victims should look at their insurance coverage. People often have coverage beyond the basic mandatory liability coverage. If the victim has a loan on their automobile, then they probably have more extensive coverage because it is required as a condition of most auto loans.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive insurance coverage—also known as collision or full coverage—covers a victim’s injuries, regardless of whether they are at fault. The insurer will attempt to recover from the wrongdoer if they determine that their insured person is not at fault, but they will still pay for the damages. These policies also have limits but may provide some coverage for a person’s injuries.
Disadvantages of Comprehensive Coverage
There are two downsides to filing a claim on a person’s comprehensive insurance policies. The first downside is that a person will have to pay their deductible. A deductible can range from several hundred dollars to more than $1,000. In a severe accident, that amount may seem negligible, but these small amounts add up over time.
Another downside to filing a claim on one’s own policy is that it can increase insurance rates. Even if a victim is not at fault in the accident, making a claim can raise insurance rates depending on the terms of the insurance policy. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness or provide benefits for years of clear driving policies. However, if the injuries and property damage are minor, it can be less expensive in the long run to pay for them out of pocket than to claim their collision policies.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Claims
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage claims in Houston are different than comprehensive ones when it comes to car wrecks. These policies, which usually run together, step in when the other driver is at fault. Uninsured motorist coverage provides coverage when another driver is at fault but does not have a liability insurance policy. Underinsured motorist coverage provides coverage when the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage is insufficient to pay for the damages. In both cases, the victim’s insurer will pay for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and even intangible damages like pain and suffering.
Claiming uninsured/underinsured insurance is not the same as making a comprehensive claim. Generally, claiming this type of coverage will not raise an individual’s insurance rates since it is only applicable if the victim is not at fault.
Get Help from a Houston Attorney with Uninsured Underinsured Car Collisions
No one ever wants to be in a car wreck, but sustaining an injury caused by an uninsured driver makes the whole process more complicated. Fortunately, there are some ways to recover the damages. Often, the process will depend on your own insurance policies. However, in some cases, an attorney may explore other potential avenues of recovery for uninsured or underinsured car accidents in Houston. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.