Manny: Hi Jason. I’ve had insurance for years, but I don’t really know how it works if I get in an accident. Can you explain it?
Jason: Sure, Manny. Are you familiar with the different types of coverage?
Manny: I know that I pay for both liability and collision insurance. But I don’t really know what the difference is.
Jason: Well, in the case of most automobile accidents, the insurance of the person at fault covers the damages. If someone collides with you and their insurance company accepts that their driver was to blame, their liability coverage would normally cover the costs of repairs. And if you were responsible for the accident, your liability coverage would do the same.
Manny: Ok, that makes sense. But what happens if someone hits me, and they don’t have any insurance?
Jason: If the driver is uninsured or underinsured (meaning he doesn’t carry enough to cover the costs of your claim), then you may have to file a claim under your own insurance, which would be your collision coverage.
Manny: Would I still have to pay my deductible?
Jason: That depends on your policy. If you carry uninsured or underinsured driver coverage, this could be lowered or waived, but you’d have to check with your insurance company to see what your specific policy says.
Manny: So if insurance pays for everything, and I’m not hurt in the accident, why would I need a lawyer?
Jason: It depends on the situation, Manny. Insurance agencies can move slow when it comes to paying claims. So if your vehicle is undriveable, you could spend weeks waiting for funds to fix it. And even if you walk away from the accident without a scratch, you could still have medical issues without realizing it.
Manny: Really? Like what?
Jason: Whiplash is a common one, but there are others too. And they may not surface for days or even weeks later. A personal injury lawyer could advise you on what to do to protect yourself in case medical issues do surface. Plus, insurance companies are also notorious for lowballing accident victims.
Manny: You mean with payments?
Jason: Yes, they want to pay as little in damages as possible. So if there is a way to pay you less than what your claim is worth, the insurance company will try to find it.
Manny: So if I do get into an accident, I should call a lawyer.
Jason: I would recommend it. Many personal injury lawyers do not charge any upfront fees, so there is no cost to you to seek legal help. I don’t charge my clients anything unless we win their case.
Manny: Thank you Jason!
DeSouza Law firm is a leading personal injury firm representing accident victims throughout Texas.
If you’ve been injured by a car, truck, 18-wheeler, company vehicle, or in the oilfield, call DeSouza injury Lawyers today at 361-799-2222 or visit the firm online at https://jfdlawfirm.com/.