Willie Powells is considered to be one of the finest injury lawyers practicing in Houston. Your case will be in the hands of an attorney who genuinely cares about you, your family, and your future.
Houston Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Attorney
Handling Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims in Houston, TX
When you are involved in a car accident, you may have the option of filing a claim against the other driver’s insurance company if the accident was their fault. However, what happens when the other driver doesn’t have insurance? In a situation like this, you will need to file a claim with your insurance company under your own uninsured motorist coverage.
Similarly, if the other driver has insurance, but their coverage is not enough to cover the full extent of your injuries, you may have to file an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company. In either case, having an experienced Houston car accident attorney on your side can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve.
At the Law Offices of Willie D. Powells III & Associates, PLLC, we offer compassionate and aggressive legal representation to individuals who have been injured in car accidents. We have a proven track record of success and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Let us put our skills to work for you.
Call us today at (713) 360-0062 to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Hear from past clients who worked with our team.
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Mr. Willie Powells was always available to answer any question or concerns that arose at any time of day or night during the time he was handling my case, as well as after. The Firm has a wonderful staff as well as lawyer(s).
- Former Client -
Willie Powells represented me a couple years ago when I was rear-ended. His professionalism, compassion and persistence to ensure that I was made whole were exemplary. I trust Willie to always have our family’s welfare in mind while making legal deci
- Former Client -
Mr. Willie Powells is an amazing business partner and friend. He has been an amazing instrument to me and my family during our disaster of Hurricane Harvey. I recommend him and this law firm to anyone and everyone.
- Former Client -
They’re very professional and on top of everything. Their service and competence is impeccable and definitely Houston’s best! I highly recommend Mr. Powells law firm to represent you, you won’t be let down.
- Former Client -
Willie Powells was very responsive to my calls, questions, and concerns. He constantly kept me updated with my case and was able to give me the results I needed. He really cares about his clients! Highly recommended.
- Former Client
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) in Texas is a type of auto insurance that protects you if you're involved in an accident with a driver who doesn't have insurance or doesn't have enough insurance to cover your damages. It's designed to compensate you for injuries or damages that you would typically be able to recover from the at-fault driver's insurance if they were adequately insured.
In Texas, uninsured motorist coverage typically includes:
- Bodily injury coverage: This helps pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to injuries sustained in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- Property damage coverage: This helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other property damaged in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
What is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) in Texas is similar to uninsured motorist coverage (UM) but it comes into play when the at-fault driver in an accident has insurance, but their coverage limits are insufficient to fully compensate you.
Here's how underinsured motorist coverage works in Texas:
- Supplemental Coverage: If you're involved in an accident caused by a driver whose insurance coverage is not enough to cover all of your expenses, your underinsured motorist coverage can kick in to make up the difference, up to the limits of your own policy.
- Bodily Injury Coverage: Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage helps pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to injuries sustained in an accident caused by a driver whose insurance coverage is insufficient.
- Property Damage Coverage: Underinsured motorist property damage coverage helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other property damaged in an accident caused by a driver whose insurance coverage is insufficient.
Similar to uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage is not mandatory in Texas, but insurance companies are required to offer it to policyholders. It's advisable to consider purchasing underinsured motorist coverage to protect yourself financially, in case you're involved in an accident with a driver with insufficient insurance coverage.
Just like uninsured motorist coverage, it's essential to review your insurance policy carefully to understand the coverage limits and specifics of your underinsured motorist coverage. You may also want to speak with an insurance agent to ensure adequate coverage for your needs.
What Happens If I Don't Have UM or UIM Coverage?
If you're in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist in Texas and you don't have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, your options for recovering compensation may be limited. Here's what could happen:
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Without UM/UIM coverage, you may have to pay for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other expenses out of your own pocket. This could potentially result in significant financial strain, especially if you've suffered serious injuries or extensive property damage.
- Civil Lawsuit: You could pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, if the driver doesn't have insurance or sufficient assets to cover your damages, obtaining compensation through a lawsuit may be challenging. Even if you win a judgment against the at-fault driver, there's no guarantee that you'll be able to collect the full amount awarded to you.
- Seeking Other Avenues for Compensation: You might explore other potential sources of compensation, such as personal assets of the at-fault driver or any other liable parties involved in the accident. However, if the at-fault driver doesn't have substantial assets, this may not lead to significant recovery.
How Does the Claims Process Work?
When you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance company under your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. It is important to remember that even though you are filing a claim with your own insurance company, they are not necessarily on your side. Like other insurance companies, they are in business to make money, and they may try to pay you as little as possible for your claim.
Having an experienced Houston car accident attorney on your side can help level the playing field. At the Law Offices of Willie D. Powells, III & Associates, PLLC, we can help you file your claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If the insurance company is not willing to offer you a fair settlement, we will not hesitate to take them to trial. We are not afraid to stand up to big insurance companies, and we will fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
To learn more about how our Houston uninsured/underinsured motorist claims attorney can help with your case, call us today at (713) 360-0062.
