(NewsUSA) - You have car insurance, pay your premiums and assume you're protected if an accident happens. But what if the coverage you rely on isn't enough to pay for a serious injury?
For many drivers, the difference between what their insurance policy covers and what an accident actually costs could leave them facing thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.
In Texas, drivers are required to carry liability insurance, but the state's minimum coverage requirements haven't increased since 2011, even as medical expenses and other accident-related costs continue to rise.
The $30,000 Coverage Gap
Under Texas law, drivers must carry minimum liability coverage of $30,000 for injuries to one person, $60,000 for injuries per accident and $25,000 for property damage. Known as 30/60/25 coverage, these amounts represent the legal minimum, not necessarily the protection needed after a serious crash.
According to a 2023 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the estimated average lifetime medical cost of a serious crash injury was $69,345, while the total economic cost reached $280,726, based on 2019-dollar estimates.
That total economic cost is more than nine times Texas's $30,000 minimum bodily injury liability limit.
The problem? Once the at-fault driver's liability insurance reaches its policy limit, that coverage generally won't pay additional expenses, even when medical bills, lost income and rehabilitation costs continue to grow.
When the Other Driver Doesn't Have Enough Insurance
The financial risk becomes even greater when the driver responsible for an accident has little or no insurance.According to research cited by the Insurance Research Council, approximately one-third of U.S. drivers were uninsured or underinsured in 2023.That means even when another driver is responsible for a collision, their insurance coverage may not be sufficient to compensate everyone injured.
Ryan L. Thompson, founder and managing partner of Thompson Law, also known as 1-800-LION-LAW, understands these challenges from both sides of the legal process. Before representing injured individuals, Thompson spent years defending major corporations, gaining firsthand experience with how insurance claims are evaluated and resolved.
The Coverage Many Drivers Overlook
One important protection is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, commonly known as UM/UIM.
This coverage can help eligible policyholders recover certain expenses when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient liability coverage.
Texas law generally requires insurers to include UM/UIM coverage in auto policies unless the policyholder rejects it in writing.
However, drivers may decline this protection to reduce their premiums without fully considering the potential financial consequences.
Understanding the difference between liability coverage and UM/UIM protection is an important step toward avoiding costly surprises.
Check Your Policy Before an Accident Happens
Thompson Law encourages drivers to review their insurance declarations page, which summarizes their coverage types, limits and deductibles.
Drivers should check whether their liability limits are adequate, whether they carry UM/UIM coverage and whether additional protection makes sense for their circumstances.
The Dallas-based personal injury firm, founded by Thompson, reports recovering more than $2.1 billion for injured people and families nationwide as of August 2026.
The message for drivers is simple: Meeting the state's minimum insurance requirements doesn't necessarily mean you're fully protected.
Taking a few minutes to understand your policy today could make a significant financial difference tomorrow.
- You have car insurance, pay your premiums and assume you're protected if an accident happens. But what if the coverage you rely on isn't enough to pay for a serious injury?
