It is frustrating enough to be involved in a car accident. It becomes even worse when the at fault driver either has inadequate insurance coverage or lacks coverage altogether. Fortunately, many drivers in our state carry an uninsured and underinsured policy. This allows one to make a claim against their own insurance to help make up for any shortfall in coverage. If you have been in a car accident then an experienced lawyer can help you to make a claim. The Fort Worth UM/UIM attorneys of Noteboom – The Law Firm strive to provide the highest level of representation. If you need assistance then contact us online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation.
DFW car accident lawyers for UM/UIM claims
Texas law requires that insurance carriers offer a driver UM/UIM coverage at the time they sign up their policy. This is different from many other states and, as a result, many Texas residents have protection against an uninsured driver. This type of policy offers protection in two scenarios. First, if one is involved in a wreck and the at fault driver has no coverage at all, then the policy will apply. Second, if an at fault driver only has a minimum amount of coverage then the underinsured policy may be invoked. This helps to prevent a victim from situations in which the at fault driver’s policy can not fully satisfy the damages.
Litigating a UM/UIM claim is similar to handling any other car accident case. Your attorney will contact the insurance company and notify them of the situation. Once the victim’s damages are calculable, then the attorney will make a settlement demand to the adjuster. If a settlement cannot be reached then it will be necessary to file a lawsuit against the insurance company. Reasons for which the matter may not settle can include the carrier believing that the victim (their insured) was partially at fault for the accident or a disagreement over the value of the victim’s claim. The victim’s attorney will continue attempting to reach settlement while litigating the lawsuit.
It should be understood that insurance companies do not simply pay out money voluntarily. Even though a UM/UIM policy belongs to the person making the claim, the insurer will avoid making payment if they can. It may, therefore, be necessary for the Plaintiff’s attorney to retain expert witnesses on the issues of liability and damages. First, an accident reconstructionist may be needed to offer a report estimating how the accident occurred. Second, medical and vocational professionals may be retained in order to offer opinions about the victim’s long-term prognosis and how the accident has impacted their earning potential. The insurance company will have the opportunity to counter these witnesses with their own experts. At trial, it will be the role of the jury to decide what weight, if any, is given to this testimony. The jurors will also decide all issues related to fault and damages.
The car accident attorneys at Noteboom – The Law Firm have been assisting injury victims in our area since 1977. As your matter proceeds we will analyze the limits of all available insurance coverage. If it is clear that the at fault party lacks adequate coverage, or if they are simply uninsured, then we will quickly notify your insurance carrier. If your carrier is unwilling to offer a fair settlement then we are prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf. We will make sure that your rights are fully protected throughout this process. We have two attorneys who are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. We are well-versed in dealing with UM/UIM policies and we will make sure that you know what to expect as the process moves forward. Contact us online or by telephone today.
In addition to Texas’ greater DFW area, we also handle matters in Arlington, Austin, Denton, Frisco, Irving, Lufkin, Garland, Houston, McKinney, Richardson, San Antonio, and the rest of the state.
Fort Worth car accident attorneys protecting the rights of individuals over those of insurance companies
Chuck Noteboom founded our firm on the belief that the rights of individuals are more important than the interests of corporations and insurance companies. This is why we focus exclusively on personal injury law. In addition to providing quality representation, we also work to provide the highest level of service. This includes promptly responding to emails, quickly returning phone calls, and making ourselves available to answer your questions. We understand that this is an important time in your life and our attorneys will give your case the attention it both needs and deserves. We look forward to being of assistance.
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To contact our office by telephone, call 817.282.9700. You may also click the button below to be taken to our contact form. We look forward to speaking with you.