If you’re in a crash with a driver who disappears or carries bare-bones coverage, you may be left wondering how the bills will get paid. That is exactly why uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage exists in Texas. It steps in when the at-fault driver has no insurance, insufficient insurance, or cannot be identified after a hit-and-run incident. UM/UIM is part of your auto policy. It can cover injuries and, in many policies, property damage up to your limits. Texas requires insurers to offer this coverage, and you must reject it in writing if you do not want it. We recommend checking your declarations page now so you aren’t guessing after a wreck. Hit-and-runs are where this coverage often matters most. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that UM/UIM can apply when the other driver cannot be found, which is most common in parking lot incidents and nighttime crashes. It may even offer advantages over collision coverage alone. However, there’s a Texas regulation that many people are unaware of until they file a claim. To recover UIM benefits, you must establish the other driver’s legal liability and your damages. Only then does the carrier owe UIM benefits. We guide clients through this process to ensure that evidence and timing are handled correctly. If you are hit, the steps you take in the first day or two matter. Call the police and get a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). Photograph the damage and anything relevant from the scene. If possible, you also want to get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Seek prompt medical care, and follow up on referrals. Notify your insurer as soon as possible and save any relevant telematics or dashcam files you may have. Taking time to do these things can make a big difference in UM/UIM claims. COVERAGE THAT FILLS THE GAP Understanding UM/UIM Protection
As we enter another new year, there’s no better time to adjust your daily habits to help you become the healthiest version of yourself mentally and physically. Here are three strategies you can incorporate into your New Year’s expectations and resolutions that will help ensure 2026 is your healthiest year yet! 3 DAILY HABITS THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR 2026
Start every day strong. Many Americans fall into the same routines year after year, and most are dangerous for their overall well-being. They stay up too late, wake up to an alarm a few hours later, scramble to get ready, and jump in the car as soon as possible to get to work. Your morning routine sets the tone for your day. If you’re in a hurry every morning, you will feel rushed and exhausted. Give yourself ample time in the morning to take care of yourself and some simple chores. Make your bed, have a glass of water, take good care of your hygiene, eat something, and incorporate some movement into your mornings. It will be hard initially, but you’ll feel the benefits within a few weeks. Diet and exercise matter. This is probably not news to you, but we can’t downplay the importance of diet and exercise. Listen to your body; it will tell you what it needs. Many people fall into the trap of overeating without realizing it or starving themselves when they want to lose weight, but this won’t make them feel good. Eat when your body tells you to, stick to a healthy diet, and find time for exercise. You need to find ways to motivate yourself, especially when you want to stay in bed and stick to comfort foods. Your body will thank you. Drink more water. How much water do you drink each day? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that men should drink about 15.5 cups of fluids daily and women should drink 11.5 cups. If you aren’t hitting these numbers, it’s time to adjust. Start and finish each day with a glass of water. Walk around with a refillable bottle. Staying hydrated will help your body function much better.
UM/UIM coverage is designed to help Texans rebuild after a crash. If an uninsured, underinsured, or
unidentified driver causes your injuries, our team at Aulsbrook Law Firm can review your coverage, preserve the proof, and pursue the benefits you paid for.
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