Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Wichita Falls
If the driver of the vehicle that caused an accident doesn’t have any insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all the damages associated with the wreck, then you should contact your own auto insurance company and see your if your auto policy contains Uninsured (UM) or Underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage applies in the scenario where the at-fault driver doesn’t
have any insurance, which is against the law. In Texas and Oklahoma, all drivers are required to carry car insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the person who caused the car wreck doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages. In either scenario, by having these coverages, you have what you need to pay for your damages up to the limits of the amount of UM/UIM that is on your policy.
You may be wondering why your own insurance company would pay you when the other person was at fault. The reason insurance companies offer this coverage is because they know many drivers don’t carry insurance and an even bigger number of drivers only carry the minimum amount of insurance, leaving you vulnerable if you get hit by one of these drivers.
Many of the clients we have recommended this coverage to also express concern about their insurance rates going up if they ever have to use their UM/UIM. Generally, insurance companies will not raise your rates when you file a UM/UIM claim, however, some companies will even though the wreck was not your fault. Still, it’s better to have enough coverage and a raise on your rates than to be left without adequate coverage to pay for your damages.
UM/UIM is also great because it can help if you are ever in a hit-and-run accident, whether you are in your car, riding a bicycle, or walking as a pedestrian. Additionally, if you sustain injuries from an accident while riding in someone else’s vehicle, UM/UIM can provide coverage for your injuries. UM/UIM follows you, not your vehicle.
Contact a Wichita Falls Car Wreck Lawyer
To learn more about how to successfully maximize your Wichita Falls car wreck claim, download our free book, The Traveler’s Guide to the Universe of Personal Injury, or contact us today by calling 940-569-4000 or filling out our contact form to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.
We will give you a free evaluation of your case and even if you decide not to hire us, we can offer you some helpful guidance. Whatever you choose to do, we’re confident we can help and you won’t regret stopping by to talk to us about your situation.