El Paso, TX Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Attorney for Injury Victims of Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers in Texas and New Mexico

Uninsured drivers are a serious problem throughout the United States, especially when they are responsible for car wrecks resulting in serious injuries. Compared to many other states, Texas has a higher percentage of insured drivers. However, nearby New Mexico is one of the worst states for uninsured motorists, with recent estimates indicating that more than 20 percent of drivers lack auto insurance. If you have been injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, recovering compensation can be complicated.

However, you are not without options, and an experienced personal injury attorney can help. Attorney James Kennedy has served injury victims in Texas and New Mexico for more than 25 years, and he has been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in personal injury law. He will work with you to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim with your car insurance provider and stand up for you in any disputes to help you achieve a fair settlement.

Texas and New Mexico Uninsured Motorist Laws

In both Texas and New Mexico, state laws require car insurance providers to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with every policy. After a car crash, uninsured motorist coverage can take effect when the at-fault driver does not have any liability insurance, or in the case of a hit-and-run accident when the driver cannot be identified or located. Underinsured motorist coverage can take effect when the at-fault driver has liability insurance, but their policy limits are below the amount of recoverable damages for the injury victims in the accident.

In Texas, the most recent minimum limits for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, as well as $25,000 for property damage. In New Mexico, the minimum limits are slightly lower, with bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, and property damage coverage of $10,000. However, you can choose to purchase coverage above these minimum limits to provide yourself with additional protection. You also have the option to forgo uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but it is often unwise to do so, as you may be left with few compensation options if you are injured.

Filing an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claim

Any time you are injured in a car accident, you should try to collect contact and insurance information from the other drivers involved whenever possible. If a negligent driver has insurance coverage, you can often recover full compensation for your damages through the driver's liability insurance by filing a personal injury claim with their insurance provider. If you find in the process of pursuing your claim that the driver's policy limits are insufficient, or that the driver does not actually have liability insurance, your next step is to file a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage with your own auto insurance provider.

Though it may seem logical that your provider would want to help you, it can often be difficult to secure the full compensation you deserve. For this reason, it is a good idea to hire an attorney to represent you in your claim. Your insurance provider will want to see evidence of the other driver's negligence, the injuries and losses you have suffered, and the medical care and treatment you have received. Your attorney can help you gather all of this evidence to support your claim. If a dispute arises because your provider will not offer the compensation you are entitled to, your attorney can represent you in negotiations to help you fairly settle your claim.

Contact an El Paso County Underinsured Motorist Crash Lawyer

Whether you are pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver or through your own insurance provider, you need an attorney who will fight for you. Contact our office today at 915-544-5200 for a free consultation so we can start working toward the outcome you deserve. We serve clients in El Paso and throughout the surrounding areas in Texas and New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Odessa, Midland, Carlsbad, and Pecos. Se habla español.