According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, nearly 12% of drivers in Texas do not have car insurance. Car insurance requirements are in place to protect innocent victims who are harmed in a car accident caused by another driver.
Drivers who hit the roadways without insurance could face serious penalties. Keep reading below to learn more about no-insurance tickets in Texas.
Texas Auto Insurance Requirements
Nearly every state in the country requires drivers to carry auto insurance, and Texas is no different. In Texas, drivers are required to carry minimum liability coverages of:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
Keep in mind that these are the minimum legal requirements. Imagine that you cause an accident that results in serious or catastrophic injuries to another driver. In that situation, $30,000 of injury coverage would likely not even cover the victim’s medical bills, much less their pain and suffering.
For this reason, many drivers choose to purchase more coverage than just the bare minimum.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Texas
Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor violation of Texas Transportation Code § 601.191. No-insurance tickets in Texas can carry some serious fines. A first offense typically results in a fine of $175 to $350 plus additional court costs and administrative fees. This means that your first no-insurance ticket could cost you up to $500 in some cases.
Drivers who continue to operate their vehicles without insurance even after getting a no-insurance ticket face more serious penalties. Second and subsequent violations may result in:
- Fines of up to $1,000
- Increased court costs
- Vehicle impoundment
- License and/or registration suspension
- SR-22 requirement
Texas takes driving without insurance seriously, and these harsh penalties are evidence of that fact.
Civil Liability After a Car Accident
Not only can drivers without insurance face fines and other criminal or traffic-related penalties, but they can also be held financially responsible for any damages they cause after a car accident. Texas is an at-fault state for car accidents, so this means that the at-fault driver is legally responsible for the damages they cause.
If you have liability insurance, your insurance pays for those damages. However, drivers who do not have insurance can be held personally liable after an accident. This type of situation could result in substantial financial liability, so you should never get on the road if you do not have insurance on your vehicle.
What To Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
If you have been hit by an uninsured driver, that situation can be scary and confusing. You may be wondering who will pay for your medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
After the accident, you should:
- Call 911 to report the accident to the police
- Allow the responding officer to gather the other driver’s personal information
- Take photos of all the vehicles and the crash scene
- Get medical treatment right away for any injuries, even if they are minor
- Obtain names and contact information from any witnesses before they leave the scene
- Notify your insurance company of the accident, but stick to the basic facts
- Call an experienced personal injury lawyer for help
You may have a couple of options for recovering compensation for your injuries. One option is to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver in civil court. However, most drivers without insurance do not have the financial resources to pay for your damages.
Instead, your better option is usually to file a claim with your own uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage is specifically intended to cover your losses in the event you are in an accident caused by an uninsured driver.
Contact The de la Garza Law Group To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Houston Car Accident Attorney
Driving without insurance in Texas can lead to fines and other penalties, and uninsured drivers may also be personally liable for damages they cause in a crash. If you are injured by an uninsured driver, you may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury claim or your own uninsured motorist coverage.
For more information, please contact the Houston personal injury lawyers at The de la Garza Law Group for a free consultation. Give us a call at (713) 784-1010, or visit our convenient location:
The de la Garza Law Group
1616 S Voss Rd Suite 870, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 784-1010
24/7
