As you recover from injuries sustained in a car accident caused by another driver, one of the first questions you may have is how much insurance coverage the other driver has. Their insurance limits can significantly impact how much compensation you may receive for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Unfortunately, in some cases the at-fault driver may have minimal or no auto insurance coverage, leaving accident victims with few options to recover costs. However, before assuming the worst, it is important to understand the minimum insurance requirements in your state and the steps you can take to determine the other driver's coverage. In talking with an Austin car accident lawyer, you may learn more about the applicable requirements for insurance coverage. With this knowledge in hand, you can make informed decisions about pursuing a personal injury claim.
Determining the Other Driver's Auto Insurance Coverage
To determine the other driver's auto insurance coverage in a car accident, you will need to obtain a copy of their insurance policy or declaration page. The most relevant details on the policy to look for are:
•Liability coverage limits: This specifies the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for injuries or property damage the other driver caused. Common limits are $25,000/$50,000, which means $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident total. Higher limits, such as $100,000/$300,000, indicate more coverage.
•Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This applies if the other driver has little or no insurance. It covers your costs up to the policy limits. Check if this coverage is included and the limit amount.
•Additional coverages: Some policies may include comprehensive, collision, medical payments, rental reimbursement or roadside assistance. The more coverages beyond basic liability, the more likely higher liability limits.
•Policy exclusions: Carefully check for any exclusions listed which would indicate less coverage, e.g. for drivers under 25 or over 65, certain vehicle types, etc.
In some cases, you may need to contact the other driver's insurance company directly to request a copy of their policy. They are required by law to provide this information. Don't hesitate to consult with a personal injury attorney regarding the other driver's coverage and your options for pursuing a fair settlement. An experienced attorney can determine if the coverage is adequate, and help you take further action if needed.
With this information in hand, you will know where you stand regarding how much insurance coverage is available from the other driver to cover costs from the accident. From there, you can make an informed decision on next steps to recover damages.
Checking the Other Driver's Insurance Card
Checking the other driver's insurance card after an accident is an important step. Their coverage level will determine how much compensation you may receive for injuries or vehicle damage.
Once the accident has occurred and all parties are safe, request the other driver's insurance card to note their insurance carrier and policy number. Politely explain that this information is needed for your insurance claim. If the other driver refuses to provide their insurance details or claims to not have insurance, contact the police to report the incident and request that an officer obtain the required insurance information.
Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, typically expressed as three numbers like 100/300/50. The first two numbers represent coverage limits for injuries per person and total injuries per accident. The third number indicates coverage for property damage. If the other driver's coverage is insufficient to cover your damages or medical bills, you may need to file a personal injury claim against them to recover remaining costs.
Consult with a personal injury attorney to determine appropriate next steps based on the details of your accident and injuries as well as the other driver's policy limits. An attorney can advise you on negotiating a fair settlement with insurance companies or pursuing further legal action. Remember that you deserve to be fully compensated for losses incurred due to another driver's negligence.
Staying calm and taking the necessary steps following an auto accident will help ensure you get the coverage you need. Check the other driver's insurance, report the details to your carrier, and get legal counsel if needed. With the proper documentation and cooperation, you have the best chance of a smooth claims process and recovery.
Contacting the Other Driver's Insurance Company Directly
Contacting the at-fault driver's insurance company directly is often the quickest way to determine their coverage limits and policy details.
Request Policy Details
Call the insurance company listed on the police report or insurance card of the other driver and provide the claim number, accident date, and any other relevant details. Politely but firmly request the details of the at-fault party's auto liability coverage, including bodily injury and property damage limits. The representative should provide the coverage amounts for which that policyholder is insured in the event of an accident.
Be prepared for the possibility that the other driver may only have the minimum coverage required in your state. Bodily injury coverage helps pay for injuries to people in the other vehicle, while property damage coverage helps pay for damage to vehicles and other property. If the coverage seems insufficient for your needs, you may need to file a claim with your own insurer or consider pursuing legal options.
Additional Options
If you are unable to obtain the policy details from the insurance company directly or feel the information provided is incomplete, you have a few other choices:
•Contact the police officer who responded to the accident and request a copy of the official police report. The report should list the insurance company and policy number for the other driver.
•Consult with a personal injury attorney regarding your legal options for obtaining policy information, including sending a formal request letter to the insurance company or filing a lawsuit.
•File a claim with your own insurance company and provide them with the details of the accident and other driver. Your insurer may be able to obtain the other party's policy information on your behalf through industry databases and contacts. They can then determine appropriate next steps based on the details uncovered.
•Research the company and policy number of the other driver online using insurance industry databases and public records. Some details may be available to view for verification and further action.
The most direct approach is to contact the at-fault driver's insurance company for their auto policy information. Be prepared to provide details about the accident, take note of the coverage amounts provided, and determine appropriate next steps based on the information given and the specifics of your claim. Additional options are available if needed to uncover further policy details.
Hiring an Attorney to Investigate the Other Driver's Coverage
Hiring an attorney to investigate the other driver’s insurance coverage after an auto accident is critical. While you may be tempted to deal with insurance companies yourself to save money, an experienced personal injury lawyer has the knowledge and resources to thoroughly examine the other driver’s policy. They can determine how much compensation you may be entitled to for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Verify Coverage and Policy Limits
An attorney will contact the other driver’s insurance company to obtain a copy of their auto policy. They will review the details to confirm that the policy was in effect at the time of the crash and that the other driver’s vehicle is covered. The lawyer will also check the liability coverage limits to see how much the insurance company may pay out for your injuries and damages. Unfortunately, some drivers only carry the minimum required coverage, which may not be enough to fully compensate you.
Investigate Additional Policies
Some drivers have more than one auto insurance policy or umbrella insurance that provides extra coverage. Your lawyer will search to find any additional policies held by the other driver that could contribute to a settlement or judgment in your favor. They will determine if those policies were also in effect at the time of the accident.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Once your attorney has gathered information on all relevant insurance coverage, they can begin negotiating with the companies on your behalf. They have the experience to deal with adjusters and push for a fair settlement that provides you with maximum compensation for your claim. Without legal representation, insurance companies may take advantage of your lack of knowledge and offer you a settlement much lower than the true value of your case.
An experienced car accident lawyer is the best way to determine how much insurance coverage the other driver has and fight for the compensation you deserve. They have the skills and resources to thoroughly investigate the other driver’s auto policies and negotiate with insurance companies to get you the best possible outcome for your claim.
Options if the Other Driver Is Underinsured or Uninsured
If the other driver in your accident has little or no insurance coverage, you still have options to recover damages. Underinsured (UIM) or uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy can help make up the difference.
Use Your Health Insurance and MedPay
If you have personal health insurance, use it to pay for accident-related medical bills. Most policies require you to submit claims within a certain timeframe. You can also use MedPay coverage on your auto policy, if you have it, to pay copays and deductibles. MedPay claims do not need to be repaid, even if you receive an insurance settlement later.
By exploring all options available to you, including your own insurance coverage, legal claims, and health insurance, you have the best chance of recovering damages after an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist. An experienced attorney can help determine which avenues may prove most fruitful in your specific situation.
Fletcher Injury Law Can Help With Your Car Accident Case
If you have been involved in a car accident, you will likely have many questions about insurance coverage and who is responsible for damages. At Fletcher Injury Law, our experienced car accident attorneys can help determine the amount of insurance coverage available from the at-fault driver.
Determining Liability and Available Coverage
The first step is to determine who is liable for the accident. Once liability has been established, our lawyers will investigate the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy to find the limits of their coverage. The minimum coverage required in most states is liability coverage, which includes coverage for property damage and bodily injury. However, many drivers opt for additional coverage like collision, comprehensive, medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage.
Pursuing Compensation from Multiple Policies
If the at-fault driver’s policy limits are insufficient to cover your losses, our attorneys will examine other potential sources of compensation. This could include your own auto policy coverages, as well as any umbrella or excess liability policies held by the at-fault driver. Commercial auto policies, rideshare insurance, and employer liability may also provide additional coverage.
Demanding Policy Limits from the Insurance Company
When there are substantial injuries, our experienced attorneys will aggressively pursue the maximum amount of compensation available under all applicable insurance policies. We will submit a demand to the insurance company requesting that they tender the policy limits for their insured's liability. If the initial demand is rejected, we will proceed to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to motivate them to settle within policy limits.
Fighting for Fair Compensation
At Fletcher Injury Law, our top priority is fighting for maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. We have a proven track record of holding at-fault parties and insurance companies accountable to ensure fair settlements and verdicts for our clients. Call today for a free consultation with an attorney regarding your car accident insurance claim.