Uninsured-Underinsured Motorist Coverage and Your Laredo TX Car Accident Claim

As of 2022, approximately 14% of US drivers were uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council. If you have been the victim of a car accident in Texas caused by an uninsured motorist, or one whose insurance does not cover the extent of your costs, you can be left feeling powerless and overwhelmed.

Our Laredo car wreck attorneys at Carabin Shaw know what it takes to win fair compensation for victims like you, and we have been doing so for decades. Let us help you negotiate with your insurance adjuster and explore all possible avenues to recover the money you are owed. Simply call us for a complimentary case review, allowing you to focus on your rehabilitation with peace of mind.

Uninsured motorist coverage, or UM, allows you to receive compensation from your own insurance company if you are involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. UM coverage also applies in hit-and-run accidents where the other driver is never identified.

Underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM, allows you to receive compensation from your insurance company if the costs of your accident exceed the coverage of the at-fault driver. This is common in crashes where the at-fault driver only carries mandatory minimum coverage.

It is required that all insurance providers in Laredo, Texas offer UM/UIM coverage, but drivers are not required to carry it. If you decline this coverage, you must do so in writing. For drivers who do have this coverage, this will be your primary and most reliable means of avoiding out-of-pocket costs.

Following an underinsured or uninsured driver accident, you must be mindful and deliberate when corresponding with your insurance company. It may seem like they are on your side, but they are a business, and their goal is to minimize their expenses.

Be sure to report your accident immediately, but it is highly recommended that you employ a car accident lawyer in Laredo TX, before making any statements to your insurance adjuster. What you say to your adjuster will be very difficult to contradict later, even if it was said offhandedly, and can be used to minimize your claim or deny it outright.

It is essential that you document everything, from the circumstances surrounding your accident to the costs incurred as a result. Your attorney can handle the gathering of evidence and even negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf.

For victims of a Laredo uninsured motorist accident, particularly those without UM/UIM coverage, the assistance of an experienced lawyer will be crucial in securing the financial restitution you need. In addition to collecting evidence and negotiating your claim, they can thoroughly review your policy and the details of your accident to identify all possible options for compensation.

When it is not possible to recover the necessary compensation through insurance, South Texas crash victims will need to pursue restitution through a lawsuit. This can be particularly challenging in cases involving uninsured motorists, as they are unlikely to possess significant assets.

Third-party liability can be key in these cases. This refers to the parties' addition to the at-fault driver who may hold responsibility for the accident. Examples of third parties you may be able to pursue legal action against include:

• The employer of at-fault drivers who were on the job
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers
• A bar or restaurant that overserved the at-fault driver
• The vehicle owner if different from the driver
• Governments or municipalities, in cases where poor road conditions led to the accident

Our team at Carabin Shaw specializes in alleviating stress and maximizing compensation for victims like you. In order to make the process as risk-free as possible, we offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis. That means that we do not collect any payment until we win your case.

Check out our client reviews for evidence of our long track record of success, then give us a call at 800-862-1260. Our incredible, English and Spanish-speaking staff is available 24/7 to get you started with no upfront cost!

For more information:

• Insurance Research
• TDI