Most drivers have car insurance, but few understand just how complicated things get after a serious crash. Who pays for your medical bills? What happens if the other driver is underinsured — or if you were partially at fault? Texas follows specific insurance rules that directly impact how claims are handled, what coverage applies, and whether you can recover the full compensation you need to rebuild your life.
With your future on the line, you can’t navigate Texas insurance laws alone. You need a team with the resources and experience to take on the largest corporations and insurance companies in the world and not just just win, but set records. Having recovered Billions for crash victims, Zehl & Associates has secured the largest verdicts and settlements in Texas history by holding reckless drivers, trucking companies, and insurers fully accountable. When companies delay, deny, or attempt to minimize what you’re owed, we are the team that stands up, fights, and wins for injured clients and their families.
Read on to learn more about car insurance and how our undefeated Texas car accident attorneys can help protect your rights and secure your future after a serious collision.
Texas Is an At-Fault State
Texas uses an at-fault insurance system for car accidents. This means the driver who caused the crash is financially responsible for the damages that result.
After an accident, an injured person generally has three main options for seeking compensation:
- Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Using their own insurance coverage, if applicable
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit if insurance does not fully cover their losses
Because Texas follows an at-fault system, proving who caused the accident is critical. Police reports and other evidence can help determine fault during the insurance claim process. If the fault is disputed, compensation may be delayed or reduced.
Comparative Fault
If you share fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced to account for your portion of responsibility. Texas’s modified comparative fault rules only bar you from recovering compensation if your share of fault exceeds 50% (meaning you are mostly at fault).
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Texas
Texas law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage. These minimums are often described as 30/60/25 coverage, which means:
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person
- $60,000 total bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
While these limits satisfy legal requirements, they are frequently inadequate to cover damages in serious accidents. When damages exceed these policy limits, victims may need to pursue additional coverage sources or initiate legal action against other liable parties.
Other Coverages Available to Texas Drivers
In addition to liability insurance, Texas drivers can purchase optional coverages that provide greater financial protection after a crash.
Common types of additional coverage include:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): Coverage pays for injuries and damages if you are hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient insurance. Texas insurers must offer UM coverage, and it can be declined only in writing.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses and lost income for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the accident.
- Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): Helps pay medical bills after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash.
- Collision coverage: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after a crash, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers non-collision damage, such as theft, vandalism, hail, or flooding.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: Helps pay for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired.
These optional coverages can make a major difference when the at-fault driver’s insurance is limited or when fault is disputed.
Types of Compensation Available After a Car Accident
If another driver caused your accident, Texas law allows you to pursue compensation for both financial and personal losses.
Your economic and non-economic damages may include money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages
These damages are designed to make you whole by putting you as close as possible to the position you were in before the crash. An experienced car accident attorney can help you identify and calculate the value of all your damages.
Contact Zehl & Associates To Schedule a Consultation With an Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a car accident in Houston, TX, contact Zehl & Associates today for help understanding the car insurance claims process. We can review your insurance coverage, explain your legal options, and pursue compensation from all parties who contributed to your accident.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours