If you’re a passenger in a car that gets hit by an uninsured driver, you can file a claim to recover benefits under your personal UM/UIM policy. Your auto insurance policy doesn’t just stick with the car; it can follow you when you’re a passenger in someone else’s car. As a passenger, you could also qualify for UM/UIM benefits available under the driver’s car insurance policy.
An experienced Round Rock uninsured motorist claim attorney at Dow Law Firm can help you understand your rights, navigate the claims process, and fight for the money you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Understanding Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
About 15 percent of drivers in Texas are uninsured, despite mandatory insurance coverage requirements. If you’ve added uninsured motorist coverage to your personal car insurance policy, it can protect you if you’re involved in an accident with someone who is uninsured.
Underinsured motorist coverage can help if you’re injured in an accident and the at-fault driver’s car insurance policy doesn’t cover the full cost of your damages. Available UIM coverage can bridge the gap between your costs and what the at-fault driver’s policy can pay.
There are situations where you can “stack” your UM benefits to recover more than your policy’s individual limits. Your uninsured motorist claim lawyer can help you determine if this applies to your situation and, if so, help you maximize your recovery.
Filing a Car Accident Claim as a Passenger in Texas
You’ll need to file a claim with the covered driver’s car insurance company to recover benefits from their UM policy.
You can recover benefits up to the insurance policy limits, which are typically $30,000 per person (and $60,000 per accident) for bodily injury.
If your damages exceed the driver’s available UM benefits, an experienced uninsured motorist claim attorney can help you pursue additional compensation directly from the uninsured driver and/or other liable parties.
Common Challenges and Limitations
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage isn’t mandatory in Texas. While insurance companies have to offer it, drivers don’t have to buy it. So, you’ll only be covered if you get into an accident and you have a UM policy, or the person driving the car you’re in has added it to their car insurance policy.
Insurance companies aren’t eager to pay out UM/UIM benefits. So, even if you’re technically entitled to compensation, getting the money you need for your medical expenses, disability, and other damages can be an uphill battle.
Steps to Protect Your Rights After a Texas Car Accident
If you’re involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver in Texas, it’s important to:
- Document the accident by taking pictures of the scene of the accident, property damage, and your physical injuries
- Call 911 to report the accident to the police
- Seek medical attention to ensure that your injuries are treated and documented in your medical records
- Notify your insurance company that you’ve been in an accident and intend to file a claim for UM benefits
- Call an experienced car accident attorney in Round Rock to help you navigate the claims process
The more proactive you are, the better your chances of filing a successful insurance claim and recovering much-needed UM benefits.
When to Contact a Round Rock Uninsured Motorist Claim Lawyer
As soon as you can. You’ll face strict time limits for seeking uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist benefits after a car accident. If you miss critical deadlines, you risk losing the right to recover compensation you really need.
At Dow Law Firm, our uninsured motorist claim attorneys in Round Rock are resourceful, successful legal advocates with a proven track record of winning case results. We’re here to help when you need it most, so don’t hesitate to contact our Round Rock law office at (512) 240-9951 to schedule your free case review.