If you’re involved in an accident with an out-of-state driver, the process may be more complicated than it would be if the accident involved another local. An experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer from George Salinas Injury Lawyers can investigate your case and explain your legal options.
Insurance Requirements in Texas
The Transportation Code Section 601.072 of the Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act requires all owners and operators of motor vehicles within the state to have financial responsibility before operating the vehicle on Texas roadways. Generally, this requirement is satisfied when a vehicle owner obtains a liability insurance policy in at least the following amounts:
- $30,000 for bodily injury or death to one person in an accident
- $60,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one person in an accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Liability insurance pays for the damages the insured causes to someone else due to their negligence.
Other states may have lower minimum insurance requirements or operate under a no-fault system. However, Section 601.052 of the Texas Transportation Code explicitly states, “A person may not operate a motor vehicle in this state unless financial responsibility is established for that vehicle through” any of the following:
- A motor vehicle liability insurance policy that complies with the minimum liability provisions described above
- A surety bond
- A certificate of deposit with the comptroller covering the vehicle
- A deposit of cash or a cashier’s check with the county judge of the county where the vehicle is registered
- Self-insurance
Therefore, even if the driver is from out of state, they are still legally required to have liability insurance that can cover your damages if they are found at fault for the accident. It is also possible that the driver is borrowing a resident’s vehicle or renting a car in Texas, in which case, the same insurance rules would apply anyway.
At-Fault Rules in Texas
Texas is an at-fault state for car accidents. Here, the driver found at fault for the accident is responsible for the damages they cause due to their negligence. After an accident, it’s important you report the accident to the police and you obtain the at-fault driver’s liability insurance information so you can make a claim for the damages you sustained.
Legal Service
Another potential complicating factor in accident cases involving out-of-state drivers is that serving them with legal paperwork can be difficult. One state generally does not have personal jurisdiction over a resident of another state, so you may have to wait for the person to come back to Texas before you can legally serve them if it becomes necessary to sue them in a Texas court. An experienced San Antonio injury attorney can discuss jurisdictional issues and other legal complexities when dealing with an out-of-state driver.
Contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers for Help with Your Out-of-State Driver Accident Claim
If you were injured in an accident in Texas involving a driver from another state, call George Salinas Injury Lawyers. We can gather evidence to prove fault, discuss your legal options for recovering financial compensation, and provide legal representation through every stage of your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.