Someone seriously injured by a driver with one of these junk policies won’t be able to collect from the negligent driver’s insurance company.
El Paso, TX (PRWEB) October 23, 2013
El Paso personal injury attorney Michael J. Gopin of the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin today praised Texas lawmakers for strengthening the rules regarding so-called “junk” auto insurance policies that only cover certain drivers, rather than everyone in the same household.
Commenting on an article in the Dallas Morning News (“New Texas law aims at ‘junk’ auto insurance policies covering only certain drivers,” Sept. 5), Gopin said many consumers might not have realized the limitations of policies that cover just one driver and not the entire vehicle.
“Unfortunately, drivers with these types of policies are putting others at risk of being hit by an uninsured driver,” said Gopin, who represents victims of negligence and families who lost loved ones in accidents. “Many people might not realize how limited their coverage is if they are purchasing the mandatory minimum in Texas. Someone seriously injured by a driver with one of these junk policies won’t be able to collect from the negligent driver’s insurance company.”
The new state law aimed at providing consumers with more information about “named driver” auto insurance policies was recently signed into law by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, according to the Morning News, which reported that the new law will go into effect on Jan. 1.
More than 1 million drivers in Texas have such insurance policies, according to the article. Under these “junk” polices, coverage is restricted to one person listed as the driver. Such policies did not cover fellow household members. When family members other than the named driver use a family vehicle, they have no insurance protection, the article stated.
When the new law goes into effect next year, insurance companies will be required to tell policy holders verbally and in writing that the policy covers no one else in the household, the Morning News reported. The new regulations will also prohibit insurance companies from selling polices that do not include state-required minimum insurance coverage.
Being involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver can be a nightmare, according to El Paso car accident attorney Michael Gopin.
“It’s bad enough to be in a car accident caused by another driver,” Gopin said. “It’s even worse when that driver doesn’t have enough insurance or doesn’t have any insurance at all. Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be challenging enough even under the most straightforward circumstances. In cases like these, people often find out what matters most to many insurance companies: paying injury victims as little as possible.”
Gopin said personal injury lawyers can help injured individuals pursue fair compensation for their losses after accidents. Attorneys also can help them send a message that negligent behavior will not be tolerated in Texas.
About the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin
The Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin is an El Paso personal injury law firm providing legal representation to clients suffering from traffic accident injuries, slip and fall injuries, dangerous drugs injuries and those needing help with workers compensation claims. The law firm works on a contingency basis. That means clients only pay if the attorney makes a financial recovery.
For more information about what to do after a car accident in El Paso or elsewhere in Texas and the legal options available to you, call (800) WIN-WIN-1 or (800) 946-9461 or go to: http://www.michaelgopin.com/contact
Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PC
1300 N. El Paso Street
El Paso, Texas 79902
http://www.michaelgopin.com
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