When you are injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligent actions, you are entitled to file a personal injury claim for damages with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Texas currently requires all drivers to carry auto insurance in the case of an accident, though there are many types and levels of coverage. If you are in an accident with someone with low levels of coverage or underinsured, you run the risk of not being given a settlement worthy of your losses.
The risk of being in an accident with an underinsured, or even uninsured, driver is unfortunately high in Texas and leaves you in a tricky financial situation after your collision. One way to prevent this is by stacking your own car insurance. “Stacked” insurance is the legal act of combining more than one type of coverage and is an effective way to prevent your damages from not being adequately covered. For guidance after your car accident on how to best approach receiving a high settlement offer, it is imperative you contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Understanding the Importance of Car Insurance After a Car Accident
When another driver or third party’s recklessness directly results in an auto accident, you are able to hold them liable for their negligence and file a claim with their insurance company. Having auto insurance is mandatory in Texas, though unfortunately, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that roughly 8% of Texas’s drivers are currently out and about on the roads without it.
When your damages are a result of an uninsured driver, you are left with no option to file a claim. You can technically file a lawsuit against them, though the outcome will likely be ineffective as they likely do not possess the assets to cover a court-rendered judgment.
Can You Stack Your Car Insurance in Case of an Accident?
One of the best ways to protect yourself in the case of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver is to stack your car insurance. This means combining your regular auto insurance with uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage or combining the limits of multiple vehicles or policies. This insurance is specifically designed to help in the case that the liable party’s coverage can not properly pay for the costs of your damages.
Not every insurance company offers this as an option. And stacking your insurance is a little more pricey than just carrying the standard auto collision insurance, but the benefits often outweigh the risks. Car accidents can range in severity, therefore ranging in damages. Even a minor accident can result in thousands of dollars in property damages and hospital visits. Nobody should end up in debt because of another person’s recklessness and illegal actions.
Injured in a Car Accident? A Dedicated Attorney Can Help Today
Navigating a personal injury claim and negotiating with an insurance company while healing from an injury can be overwhelming. To ensure you are getting the most out of your settlement and receiving adequate coverage for your overall losses, the best course of action is hiring a dedicated attorney from The Law Office of Shane McClelland, PLLC. Based out of Katy, Texas, we are proud to offer more than 15 years of experience and a people-first approach to the world of personal injury. This means you have a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney by your side at every step of the process, from the initial case evaluation to the final settlement offer.
For a free consultation today, please don’t hesitate to call Shane McClelland at (713) 987-7107 or schedule an appointment through our contact form.