Let me first state loud and clear for the record that I am not in the business of selling insurance. Never have been, never will be. In fact, as a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer since 1991, I've gone head-to-head against insurance adjustors from every insurance company you can think of on behalf of my clients. However, if you don't already have Uninsured Motorist insurance as part of your policy, then I highly recommend that you add it.
The Insurance Research Council recently published a report which shows that 14% of drivers in Texas do not have insurance. And yes - driving while uninsured is illegal, yet many drivers do it anyway. If an uninsured driver is caught, they can expect to have their vehicle impounded. Unfortunately, that doesn't do any good for law-abiding citizens who are hit by an uninsured motorist. If a drunk driver - or any negligent driver for that matter - crashes into you, causing massive property damage and severe injuries, if they're not insured, they you're going to have to pay all of your accident-related expenses out of pocket. That is certainly not fair!
Taking out Uninsured Motorist insurance will protect you if you are ever in a collision caused by a driver who does not have insurance. It also included Underinsured Motorist coverage, meaning you will also be protected if you are hit by a driver who only carries the State minimum insurance required. It also covers you in the event you are hurt in a wreck caused by a hit-and-run driver, which is another common scenario where there is not an apparent insurance policy to claim against.
You need to think long and hard when purchasing insurance. In difficult economic times, I certainly understand the appeal of the cheap insurance offered by State Auto which just offers the basic State-mandated minimum coverage. But think about this from both sides: If you only have the minimum coverage and are hit by an uninsured driver, you have absolutely no insurance which will take care your car or your injuries. Likewise, if you are hit by someone who only does have the minimum coverage ($30,000), if your car has been totaled and your hospital bill is an additional $50,000 on top of that, those are cost which you will be forced to pay out of your own pocket. Uninsured Motorist insurance can protect you against all that.
If you or a loved one has been injured by an uninsured driver in Dallas-Fort Worth, call the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm for a free, no obligation consultation on your personal case. Call toll free at 80-354-6275, or call locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.
