Does The At-Fault Driver Pay For My Damages if I am Not Insured?
When you are injured in a vehicle accident, the first step is to seek medical attention for your injuries. You will likely have many questions regarding who will pay for your medical bills and lost wages if you are out of work due to your injuries. Who is going to pay to repair or replace your vehicle?
In most cases, the insurance company for the at-fault driver is the party who pays your damages from the accident. This is the case regardless of whether you have car insurance or not. However, Texas requires every driver to carry minimum insurance coverage; therefore, you may receive a traffic ticket and face consequences for driving without insurance; however, this is a separate issue and should not affect your ability to collect damages from the at-fault driver.
Proving Fault in a Houston Automobile Accident
Regardless of whether you have insurance or not, you must prove that the other driver was negligent and at-fault for the accident. An experienced Houston car accident attorney understands how to identify and preserve key evidence that is necessary to prove the other driver was at fault.
In most cases, the insurance company of the other driver will try to mitigate the loss by alleging you were at fault or partially at fault for the accident. Your attorney can use evidence gathered from the accident scene, witness statements, and expert testimony to prove that the other driver caused the accident. Once the liability for the accident is clear, your attorney can proceed to negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement for your damages. If this is not possible, your attorney will be prepared to litigate the case aggressively in court to ensure you receive justice.
Should I Discuss my Injuries with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
No, contact our office as soon as possible after the accident. Insurance companies try to approach accident victims before they can consult with an attorney in hopes of obtaining a written or recorded statement and signed releases. The insurance company wants to use whatever you say against you later in the case to lower the value of your claim. If possible, the insurance company wants to offer you a quick settlement before you are fully aware of the extent of your injuries and damages.
Therefore, do not provide any statements, written or recorded, and do not sign any releases, medical or otherwise, until you have consulted with our office. We want to protect your best interests — the insurance company wants to protect their profit margin.
Do You Have More Questions About a Houston Car Accident?
The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ can help you sort through all of the various issues regarding your automobile accident. Mrs. Sibrian has extensive experience handling vehicle accidents in the Houston area. She will aggressively represent your interests to insurance companies so that you receive a fair and just settlement for your injuries.
Contact the office now to participate in a live online chat or schedule an appointment for a free consultation.
