When you get into a car crash and the other driver is to blame, you can sue them and get compensation from their insurance policies. What happens if they do not carry a larger insurance policy though? What if the settlement from this driver cannot pay your bills? This is where underinsured motorist coverage can come in handy. It can help you with extra expenses caused by a crash, and a San Angelo, Texas car accident lawyer from our firm can help you fight for the maximum amount of compensation.
Is Underinsured Motorist Coverage Mandatory?
You will be offered underinsured motorist coverage, but you can turn it down. We do not recommend doing that though. Underinsured coverage can be quite useful. You do not want to find yourself still owing thousands of dollars after a crash because the person who hit you only carried the bare minimum amount of coverage.
What Costs Can Underinsured Motorist Coverage Help With?
Underinsured motorist coverage can help you cover medical expenses along with the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. Once the negligent driver’s policy has paid out its maximum amount, you can tell your own insurer that you need more money. This type of coverage helps you make up for the costs that the other driver’s insurer is unable to pay for.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Having a lawyer can be helpful for a few reasons. Underinsured motorist coverage does not kick in until you have already received a settlement from another driver’s insurer. This means that you need to prove that another driver was negligent. That can be difficult to do on your own, but our experienced lawyers can gather evidence and build a strong case against them.
Then you may have to fight your own insurer if they do not want to pay out. In Texas, the burden is on the injured drivers or passengers to show that they were injured in a car crash before an insurer pays through someone’s underinsured motorist coverage. An attorney will do their best to show that you deserve compensation.
How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Car Crash?
You do not have an unlimited time to pursue legal action. Texas gives you two years to file a claim after you get injured in a car crash. After that, your case is likely to get thrown out no matter how much evidence you have against another driver or how much you deserve a payout through your own policy.
Contact Our Law Firm
If you or a loved one were injured in a car crash, contact the Mathis Law Firm. We can schedule a free consultation and take a closer look at your case. If you have legal options and we think that you are entitled to compensation, we are ready to help you fight for the kind of settlement that you deserve.
