# Understanding the Basics of At-Fault Insurance in Texas | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. The No-Fault System vs. the Fault System 2. What Are the Auto Insurance Requirements in Texas? 3. Other Types of Auto Insurance Available in Texas 4. How Does Comparative Fault Affect Your Car Accident Claim in Texas? 5. Legal Advice in a Car Accident Claim is Critical to Optimize Your Results 6. Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help ![Understanding The Basics of At-Fault Insurance In Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Understanding-The-Basics-of-At-Fault-Insurance-In-Texas-1-300x200.jpg) States determine their own auto insurance laws. Two systems are prevalent: at-fault and no-fault. [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/), like most states, applies an at-fault approach for compensation in the event of a [car accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/).  In a no-fault system, each party looks to their own insurance to pay damages arising from an accident. In an at-fault system, the at-fault driver bears liability for the damages suffered by other parties involved in the accident. ## The No-Fault System vs. the Fault System In a no-fault state, drivers must purchase personal injury protection ([PIP](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-is-pip/)) insurance. PIP insurance offers compensation to covered parties (typically the driver, their passengers, and their immediate family members) no matter whose fault the accident was. A driver injured in a no-fault state usually cannot sue the at-fault driver unless their injuries reach a certain legal threshold of severity. In an at-fault system, each driver is required to purchase a certain amount of [liability](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/whats-liability/) insurance. Liability insurance doesn’t cover your own damages. It covers the damages of the other driver (and any passengers) if the accident is your fault. Any party that suffers damages (injury or [property damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/property-damage/)) can sue you or file a third-party [claim](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/claim-vs-lawsuit/) against your insurance. You might bear a certain amount of liability even if the accident was partly the other driver’s fault. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## What Are the Auto Insurance Requirements in Texas? Texas requires all drivers with vehicles registered in Texas to carry a certain amount of [automobile liability insurance](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb020.html): - At least $30,000 per-person coverage for bodily injury liability; - At least $60,000 per-accident coverage for bodily injury liability; and - At least $25,000 for property damage. There are other ways to satisfy Texas requirements for liability coverage, including depositing a large amount of cash with the state government. Most drivers choose to buy liability insurance. However, according to the [Insurance Information Institute](https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists), about 8% of Texas drivers carry no car insurance.   ## Other Types of Auto Insurance Available in Texas Texas insurance companies offer several other forms of auto accident insurance that are not mandatory under Texas law, including: - **Comprehensive coverage**: covers theft or damage to your car. - **Collision coverage**: covers damage to your car. It is especially useful if an accident was your fault. - **Extra liability coverage**: ordinary auto liability insurance, but with coverage limits greater than the legal limits listed above. - **MedPay**: pays medical bills for you and your passengers. It also pays for you if you are injured as a passenger or suffer injuries in a [pedestrian accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/pedestrian-accident-lawyer/) or [bicycling accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/bicycle-accident-lawyer/).  - **PIP insurance**: similar to MedPay, except that it covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs.  - **Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage**: covers you in a hit-and-run accident or if the at-fault driver has no auto insurance or insufficient insurance to cover your claim.  If you still owe money on your car, your lender may require you to carry comprehensive insurance and collision insurance.  [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## How Does Comparative Fault Affect Your Car Accident Claim in Texas? Although you can sue or file a claim against an at-fault driver in Texas, the driver’s insurance company will probably try to blame you for the accident. They want to pay you as little as possible. If the dispute goes to court, a court will apportion fault among the parties on a percentage basis.  If your percentage of fault [exceeds 50%](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.33.htm), you cannot recover any damages. If your fault does not exceed 50%, the court will deduct your percentage of fault from your damages. For example, if you were 20% at fault, the court will subtract 20% from your awarded compensation.  In Texas’s at-fault system, at fault accident insurance determines how injured parties seek compensation after a crash. Because the at-fault driver’s insurer is responsible for damages, filing an at fault insurance claim often requires proving liability and responding to challenges from the insurance company. Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## Legal Advice in a Car Accident Claim is Critical to Optimize Your Results If your claim is minor, you might not need a lawyer to help you resolve it. However, if you sustained any injuries or are unsure of the value of your claim, you should consult a lawyer. A skilled car accident lawyer can not only help you “win,” but can also help you obtain the full value of your claim. Furthermore, you won’t owe any legal bills unless you win your claim. ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help For more information,[contact](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/contact-us/) the[Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/) car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000).  **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Houston**[3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350, Houston, TX 77098](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+Houston/@29.7309684,-95.4262545,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640bf255e7aaf73:0x52064b120afa59fe!8m2!3d29.7309684!4d-95.4262545!16s%2Fg%2F1tfrxw9q?entry=tts/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – East Fwy**[11811 East Fwy, Suite 630-06, Houston, TX 77029](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+East+Fwy/@29.773407,-95.2301421,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640bd52b80b3fe3:0xb5804dd15c47b17b!8m2!3d29.773407!4d-95.2301421!16s%2Fg%2F11r10lsb0x?source=g.page.share&entry=tts/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – South Loop**[2600 S Loop W, Suite 293, Houston, TX 77054](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+South+Loop/@29.6785093,-95.4184191,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640c1c0e435eacd:0x81fd3c6eb30bc542!8m2!3d29.6785093!4d-95.4184191!16s%2Fg%2F11ry4wjwqr?cid=9366709246148461890&_ga=2.209939733.1628598219.1648478482-1081226185.1622227003&shorturl=1&entry=tts/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers – Katy Freeway**[11511 Katy Fwy Suite 515, Houston, TX 77079](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+Katy+Freeway/@29.7836667,-95.5861677,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8640dbd008653a11:0x9786540c9ab0bfd9!8m2!3d29.7836667!4d-95.5861677!16s%2Fg%2F11y3dw2v44?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111&entry=tts/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers** **– Clear Lake** [1300 Bay Area Blvd Suite B268, Houston, TX 77058](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+Clear+Lake/@29.5598212,-95.1152728,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x86409d1b345242c9:0x5895a119f6ed1d9!8m2!3d29.5598212!4d-95.1152728!16s%2Fg%2F11lf7xm8n8?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111&coh=219816&entry=tts&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgxNC4xKgBIAVAD/) **Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers** **– The Woodlands** [1776 Woodstead Ct ste 203, The Woodlands, TX 77380](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Attorney+Brian+White+Personal+Injury+Lawyers+-+The+Woodlands/@30.1548897,-95.4639792,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x864737efe5a3cb73:0xff70634b80d03844!8m2!3d30.1548897!4d-95.4639792!16s%2Fg%2F11y98y92_f?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111&entry=tts&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExOS4yIPu8ASoASAFQAw%3D%3D/) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Personal Injury Blog Posts: [![How To Prepare For A Deposition](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/How-To-Prepare-For-A-Deposition-300x174.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-deposition/) [How to Prepare for a Deposition](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-deposition/) When you file a personal injury lawsuit, everyone wants to hear from you. However, being the plaintiff in a personal [![Concussion Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/concussion-injury/) [Concussion Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/concussion-injury/) Doctors usually describe concussions as mild traumatic brain injuries. But this description comes from the [![Gallagher Bassett is NOT an Insurance Company](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Gallagher-Bassett-is-NOT-an-Insurance-Company-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/gallagher-bassett-is-not-an-insurance-company/) [Gallagher Bassett Is Not an Insurance Company](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/gallagher-bassett-is-not-an-insurance-company/) In the world of insurance, there are companies that underwrite policies and those that manage the claims process. [![Res Ipsa Loquitur](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/res-ipsa-loquitur/) [Res Ipsa Loquitur](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/res-ipsa-loquitur/) “Res ipsa loquitur” means “the thing speaks for itself.” It is a way of proving someone liable for --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/understanding-the-basics-of-at-fault-insurance-in-texas/