Getting hit by someone who carries only the bare minimum required insurance is one of the most frustrating situations an injured driver in Texas can face. The medical bills pile up, the vehicle needs repairs, and the at-fault driver’s policy may only cover a fraction of what you actually need. Knowing your options before you find yourself in this situation, and knowing what to do after, can make a significant difference in what you are ultimately able to recover.
At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, we handle car accident cases throughout Houston and across Texas, and we understand exactly how limiting minimum coverage can be for serious injury victims. Attorney Amanda Demanda personally works with every client to identify every available avenue for compensation and builds cases designed to recover the maximum amount possible. Our practice areas include motor vehicle accidents of all kinds, and our team is ready to help you navigate what comes next.
What Texas Minimum Coverage Actually Means
Texas law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance at a minimum of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, a structure commonly referred to as 30/60/25. On paper, those numbers may sound reasonable. In practice, they fall short quickly. A single emergency room visit, imaging, and follow-up care for a moderate injury can easily exceed $30,000 before any surgical or rehabilitation costs are factored in.
The problem extends well beyond medical bills. The average cost of a new vehicle in Texas now exceeds $48,000, meaning the $25,000 property damage limit may not fully cover replacing a totaled car. According to the Insurance Research Council, one in three drivers nationwide was either uninsured or underinsured in 2023, a 10 percentage point increase from 2017. Texas is no exception to this trend, and Houston’s heavy traffic volume means the odds of encountering an underinsured driver are significant.
Your Options When the At-Fault Driver’s Coverage Is Not Enough
When the at-fault driver’s policy limits are exhausted before your damages are fully covered, several potential sources of additional compensation may be available to you.
The most common options worth exploring include:
- Your own underinsured motorist coverage (UIM): Texas law requires insurers to offer UIM coverage, though drivers can reject it in writing. If you have it, your own policy can cover the gap between the at-fault driver’s limits and your actual losses
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Texas auto policies include PIP by default, which pays for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. It can be used immediately while the liability claim is still being resolved
- A personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver: If the driver has personal assets, a lawsuit may allow you to pursue compensation beyond what their insurance covers
- Third-party liability claims: If another party contributed to the accident, such as a negligent employer whose employee caused the crash, additional sources of liability may exist
Each of these options comes with its own timeline, legal requirements, and potential complications. Our resources can help you understand how these claims work under Texas law.
Steps to Take Immediately After the Accident
Following the important steps following your accident can make all the difference when building your claim.
Document Everything at the Scene
The steps you take right after a crash directly affect the strength of any claim you pursue later. Call law enforcement and get a police report filed. Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, visible injuries, and any relevant road conditions. Collect the at-fault driver’s insurance information, license plate, and contact details. Gather witness names and numbers if anyone saw what happened.
Get Medical Attention Right Away
Seeking prompt medical care is critical both for your health and for your case. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common tactics insurance companies use to dispute or minimize injury claims. A documented record of your injuries from the time of the accident forward gives your attorney the strongest possible foundation to build your claim on. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own.
Contact an Attorney Before Talking to Insurance
Insurance adjusters, including your own, work to protect their company’s bottom line. Recorded statements made early in the process can be used to limit what you recover. Before providing any formal statements or accepting any settlement offers, speaking with an attorney first puts you in a far stronger position. Our case results reflect the difference that aggressive, prepared legal representation makes in outcomes like yours.
Contact Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers in Houston
Minimum insurance coverage cases require attorneys who know how to find every available dollar of compensation, not just what the at-fault driver’s policy offers. At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, Attorney Amanda Demanda brings a hands-on approach and a genuine commitment to every client she represents. She stays personally involved throughout the entire process, keeps clients informed, and fights to make sure no avenue for recovery is left unexplored.If you were injured in a Houston car accident and the at-fault driver carried minimum coverage, do not accept less than you deserve. Our firm serves clients throughout Houston and across Texas, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Learn more about our team on our about us page, and when you are ready to get started, reach out through our contact page.
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