What is uninsured motorist coverage in San Antonio?
Not paying for car insurance in order to save money can be counterproductive. As tempting as it may seem, the risks involved are too great. The law is clear that motorists who drive without insurance violate regulations. Here we’ll share with you how to protect yourself from uninsured motorists.
Motorist insurance statistics in the U.S.
According to a report by the Insurance Research Council, one out of every eight motorists in the United States drives without insurance. That means these drivers incur a hefty fine in the event of a car accident, in addition to not receiving an insurance payout.
In this situation, there is an opportunity for coverage that protects you against those who don’t have car insurance, called “uninsured motorist coverage.”
The Insurance Information Institute estimates that approximately 14% of Texas drivers are uninsured, while the Texas Department of Insurance estimates that 20% are uninsured.
Here are some details on what uninsured motorist coverage in San Antonio involves.
What is uninsured motorist coverage?
This is additional coverage that can be added to a car insurance policy. It protects injured drivers if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, this policy “is like buying an extra insurance policy to cover you when the driver who caused the accident didn’t have enough insurance.”
This government agency argues that anyone who drives may need it, since you never know when the person who hits you will have enough insurance or funds to pay for injuries and damage to your vehicle.
“Uninsured motorist coverage also pays if you’re in a hit-and-run accident and the other driver can’t be found to pay for damages,” states the Texas Department of Insurance.
U.S. traffic accident data
It’s important to note that the United States reported more than 4 million car accidents in 2020, which in turn caused 42,060 fatalities (according to a report by the National Safety Council).
In Texas, there were 12,107 accidents resulting in serious injuries. According to this data, one person is injured in a crash every 2 minutes and 7 seconds, and one person is killed in a crash every 2 hours and 15 minutes. In San Antonio alone, there were 513 accidents resulting in serious injuries.
If you were the victim of an accident with an uninsured motorist, contact the personal injury attorneys at the George Salinas Injury Lawyers at (210) 966-8256 to discuss your accident and injury case.
What compensation can I recover after an accident with an uninsured motorist?
There are three different avenues that victims can explore to recover damages following an uninsured motorist accident in San Antonio.
An uninsured motorist attorney will be able to help the victim recover compensation as quickly as possible depending on the circumstances.
- Car insurance coverage: Under this coverage, victims may file a claim through their PIP policy and uninsured motorist coverage, if they have it. The victim may be covered for some or all of the economic losses related to their injuries, depending on the severity of the accident.
- Health insurance coverage: Victims may use their own health insurance to cover costs after an accident with an uninsured motorist. In this case, health insurance companies require covered parties to pay a deductible or co-payments. In addition, car accident victims may encounter problems with in-network providers if they are transported by ambulance to an out-of-network facility. Limits are usually less than $25,000.
- Personal injury lawsuit: Uninsured motorists who are unable to pay their premiums or damages caused by a car accident may be able to settle for temporary or permanent coverage. Even if a car accident victim files a lawsuit, the uninsured driver may not have the means to pay damages. It’s also possible that the court may enter into a settlement agreement to ensure that the victims receive the compensation they deserve.
Uninsured vs. underinsured coverage
Uninsured motorist insurance can help pay for property damage and bodily injury caused during a car accident by a driver without insurance. Unlike underinsured motorist coverage, it helps pay for any damages caused by a driver who doesn’t have the insurance to cover all expenses after an accident.
What to do if you need to recover compensation from a car accident
Hiring a San Antonio car accident lawyer experienced in uninsured motorist claims can help you recover maximum compensation according to your specific circumstances.
At George Salinas Injury Lawyers, our skilled legal team has extensive experience representing clients in personal injury cases, including those involving uninsured motorists. Contact us at (210) 966-8256 or online for a free consultation to discuss your options.
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