Did you know that almost a fourth of all Texas drivers don’t have auto insurance? That means drivers of 4.1 million vehicles are in violation of state law. Obviously, not enough is being done to reverse the problem, but there is something you can do to protect your family from it: You can buy uninsured motorist coverage for your auto insurance policy.
Otherwise, when an uninsured or underinsured driver harms you or a family member, you may face substantial difficulty obtaining monetary compensation for your medical costs and other setbacks. It won’t matter that you weren’t to blame or that you have auto insurance for your vehicle. After an uninsured motorist causes a car crash because of negligent or reckless driving, innocent victims can get stuck with the bill.
But a solution is basic and simple. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may cost as little as 30 per cent of what you pay for liability insurance, yet can offer a tremendous degree of protection. After a costly car accident, if the negligent driver who harmed you has little or no insurance, your UM/UIM coverage can provide the protection you need.
State-mandated liability coverage for car wrecks in Texas is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash. When damages exceed this, UM/UIM coverage can step in. Its cost seems a small price to pay compared to the huge savings it can offer to those harmed by drivers who lack insurance.
UM/UIM coverage is advised especially for those who ride motorcycles in Texas. The state has a high rate of motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities, and due to motorcyclists’ vulnerability, costs of such accidents can run extremely high. Also, most motorcycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers of larger cars, and with 22 per cent of them not carrying insurance, a motorcyclist must have added coverage on his or her own policy. That means UM/UIM coverage.
Texas motorists can’t depend on their health insurance after a costly car accident, because that insurance doesn’t allow for lost present and future salary, or for victims’ pain and suffering. On the other hand, uninsured motorist coverage can offer vital protections.
Much more must be done to remove uninsured drivers from our roads or compel them to get insurance. Houston-area cities Richmond and Pasadena have made a bold move by impounding uninsured drivers’ vehicles until they’re insured. Elsewhere, uninsured motorists continue to drive even after getting multiple citations. But you can make your own counter-move by getting UM/UIM coverage. It could help protect your family – and it might also help your peace of mind.
Texas personal injury firm Jim S. Adler & Associates, of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Channelview, urges Texas drivers to protect themselves with uninsured motorist coverage. An Adler car crash attorney also can fight for victims’ rights to financial compensation after a Texas auto accident.