Like most things in life, there are risks - good or bad - with every decision. Consider the financial costs of paying for insurance and also the risk that comes with not having insurance and losing such a huge asset. Could you afford to be without a car? Could you afford to keep paying for a car loan after the car has been totaled? Only you can make this decision for yourself.
GAP insurance is optional car insurance coverage that helps pay off your auto loan if your car is totaled or stolen and you owe more than the car's depreciated value. Keep in mind, GAP insurance will only cover the difference between your car's actual cash value at the time of loss and the amount you owe on your car loan. Of course, GAP insurance is not useful if the amount owed on the vehicle is less than the current value.
Most likely, yes. Many GAP insurance policies can only be bought if you have collision/comprehensive coverage for the vehicle. Collision coverage pays for damages resulting from a collision, regardless of who is at-fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages from non-collision events such as fire, vandalism or falling objects.
Both of these coverages will only pay for damages up-to the current Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your vehicle. If the damages exceed the value of your car, the insurance company will deem it a total loss.
Imagine a scenario in which you purchase a new car with a loan of $30,000. Your monthly payments are $300. 6 months later, due to an unforeseen circumstance, your car is totaled by your insurance company at a market value of $25,000. You have only paid $1,800 towards your loan at this point. Let's break it down.
| Purchase / Loan Amount | $30,000 |
| Amount Paid Towards Loan after 6 months | -$1,800 |
| Collision/Comprehensive Pays Actual Cash Value | -$25,000 |
| Total Amount Still Owed Without GAP Insurance | $3,200 |
| Total Amount Still Owed With GAP Insurance | $0 |
In the above scenario, GAP insurance will then pay for the remaining $3,200 owed to the loan company after your collision/comprehensive coverage pays the current cash value of your car.
Just like collision or liability policies, GAP insurance policies have policy limits. Policy limits are the maximum dollar amount an insurance company will pay out for your vehicle. Some have a flat dollar amount and some cover an amount as a percentage of the actual cash value of your car at the time of loss. Make sure to choose a policy that will cover your financial situation.
Call 972-833-8000 for a free consultation regarding your potential injury case. Don't let the insurance company tell you what your case is worth.
Memorial Day, the most somber of all holidays and the first holiday of the summer, is actually the most dangerous holiday to drive according to the NHTSA. Drivers may become frustrated with a surge in traffic due to an increase in summer travel, road construction, the heat, and subsequently, will drive more aggressively.
Traffic spikes, partying, and drunk driving all contribute to the rise in fatalities during this holiday. Car crashes are 4x more likely on Memorial Day weekend. 37% of fatal crashes involve a drunk driver and 52% of traffic deaths occur when someone isn't wearing a seat belt. 12 red lights are run through every second during the weekend.
First of all, if the accident was serious enough, your car might need extensive repairs. This could include replacing major parts like the engine or transmission, which can take a lot of time and effort. Additionally, the repair shop might need to order special parts that aren't readily available, which can add even more time to the process.
Another factor that can slow down the repair process is insurance. If you're filing a claim with your insurance company, they'll need to send an adjuster out to assess the damage and determine how much they're willing to pay for repairs. This can take some time, especially if the adjuster is busy or if there are disputes over the amount of damage.
Finally, it's important to remember that repair shops are often very busy. They might have a backlog of cars waiting to be fixed, and they need to prioritize their work based on factors like the severity of the damage and the availability of parts. This means that even if your car is a top priority, there might still be delays due to other factors beyond your control.
So what can you do if you're stuck waiting for your car to be fixed after a serious accident? One option is to hire a personal injury lawyer. They can help you navigate the insurance claims process and ensure that you're getting the compensation you deserve.
If you're interested in learning more, give 844-CAR-WREX a call today. We help people who have been injured in car accidents and can provide you with the guidance and support you need during this difficult time.
Litigation is a legal process that involves resolving disputes between two or more parties through the court system. In personal injury cases, litigation refers to the process of seeking compensation for injuries sustained due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or entity.
The injured party can file a lawsuit against the responsible party, which will then go through the court system. The parties involved will present evidence and arguments to a judge or jury, who will ultimately decide whether the responsible party should be held liable for the injuries and how much compensation should be awarded.
During the litigation process, both parties may engage in negotiations to reach a settlement before the case goes to trial. Settlements can be beneficial for both parties as they can avoid the time and expense of a trial. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, the case will proceed to trial where the judge or jury will make a final decision.
It is important for the injured party to have strong evidence and a persuasive argument to increase their chances of receiving fair compensation. A personal injury attorney can help gather evidence, build a strong case, and represent the injured party in court.
Litigation can be a lengthy and complex process, but it is often necessary to ensure that injured parties receive the compensation they deserve. It is important to have a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney on your side to guide you through the process and fight for your rights.
This is true for any type of injury - from car accidents to back injuries that are caused by heavy lifting at work or even mental illnesses that make people unable to work anymore - all this while the insurance company tries to minimize their payout.
Some injuries are not too bad and a doctor can take care of them in a few minutes. But what happens when an injury is serious? Medical treatment can easily cost more than a couple of thousand dollars but insurance companies might refuse to cover it because they don't want to pay out claims. This can happen if something seemed minor in the beginning but became worse over time.
Hiring an injury lawyer can help victims navigate the complicated process and fight for their rights. Lawyers ensure injured victims receive necessary medical treatment without worrying about costs or dealing with insurance companies directly. It's important to have someone on your side who will fight for your best interests and relieve the stress of managing your case.
Don't let the insurance company take advantage of you. Hire an injury lawyer who will be on your side and fight for your best interests. You can focus on your recovery and leave the legal battles to the experts. Trust us, it's worth it.
Many of our clients were sold "full coverage" insurance only to find out that only their car was protected and none of their injuries would be taken care of after an accident injury. You can imagine how heartbreaking this can be after a catastrophic accident.
Always ask your insurance agent what "full coverage" specifically includes on the insurance policy before signing with them. Ensure that you have coverage for your vehicle and your bodily injuries.
It is important to learn the proper terminology and what they mean so you do not pay for an insurance policy that doesn't benefit you. Depending on the insurance company you choose, you may have options for Medical Payment (Med Pay), Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Uninsured Motorist (UM), and Under Insured Motorist (UIM).
It is important to keep in mind that some of the aforementioned coverages will only apply if you are NOT at fault in a car accident. Med Pay and PIP may apply regardless of fault whereas UM and UIM may only apply if you were not at fault.
Stanley & Associates recommend that drivers include Personal Injury Protection in their auto insurance policy. Due to the rise in the cost of medical bills, we recommend that you carry $10,000 in coverage or more. Even the minimum $2500 can help with out-of-pocket expenses from your injuries.
In addition to selecting the right coverage for your car's insurance policy, it is important to know and understand what kind of insurance coverage you have. Read through the terms and conditions of the insurance policy you are buying before signing.
Not only does it pay to drive safe, but knowing the terms of your insurance policy can save you a great deal of frustration. Often times, insurance companies use language or terms within the policy itself that will make it easier for them to deny a claim even if you were not at fault and did everything right.
Confused or getting the run around while filing your personal injury claim? Ask a lawyer.
Through thousands of first hand conversations with our clients, we have noticed that many people believe they have "full coverage". In reality, they have "full coverage" for their vehicle only which typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages.
Many vehicle owners can see the value in insuring their vehicle when purchasing an auto insurance policy. After all, a vehicle can cost thousands of dollars and is a much needed utility when public transportation is not an option.
Sadly, a lot of drivers choose to protect only their car without consideration for their own potential bodily injuries. If you can imagine your car being a total loss, picture what kind of condition you may be in as a result. It doesn't take much to see the value in including personal injury coverage - which can help with lost wages and medical expenses.
In Texas, 1 in 5 drivers do not have liability insurance even though it is required by law. Including personal injury coverages on your own policy can bring you peace of mind if you are involved in an accident with someone who didn't have insurance or does not have enough insurance.
It may seem counterintuitive to file a claim on your own policy if you didn't cause the accident. However, that is exactly why you pay those premiums every month - to protect yourself from the financial losses incurred by someone else.
If something were to happen to your car, you would want to be able to get repairs, another vehicle, or a rental as soon as possible. The same urgency should apply to your injuries after a serious car accident. You may be surprised at how affordable it is to include additional bodily injury coverage.
That means it is time to consult with an attorney. Insurance companies have a team working to minimize your pain, suffering, and injuries so that they don't have to pay. We believe you deserve to have a team on your side fighting for you. Call Stanley & Associates today at 844-227-9739.
This is called 'premises liability.' If there was negligence on behalf of the store (such as failing to clean up spilled water), then it may be held accountable if someone suffers an injury due to their negligence.
Under Texas law, the simple fact that you slipped, fell, tripped, or otherwise got injured in a store or other business does not mean the business is automatically liable for your damages. You must prove that the business or premises owner did something wrong or was negligent.
When applied to the owner of a business, the question presented to the business owner is: "did the business owner use ordinary care in inspecting and keeping his premises safe from dangers that he knew of or in the exercise of ordinary care should have known of?"
Texas Courts have constructed this question into a two-prong test. The first question is "was there an unreasonably dangerous condition on the business premises?" Note that the law requires that the condition be unreasonably dangerous. If the condition is simply dangerous, then no matter what, the premises owner is not liable. The condition must pose an unreasonable risk or must be unreasonably dangerous to the ordinary consumer.
The second prong is that the store owner must know of the condition or have had the opportunity to inspect his premises and find the condition. This is probably the most important and most difficult part of establishing liability.
If you are walking down the aisle of a grocery store and slip in water or some other liquid and fall and injure yourself, that does not make the store owner liable. You have to prove that the liquid, or water that you slipped on, was on the floor long enough that the store owner should have had time to see it and clean it up.
They know they fell in a liquid, but they have no idea how long that liquid was there. They may say the liquid looked like it had been on the floor a long time, but the courts have held statements of the like to be insufficient evidence. You must have witnesses or another form of confirmation that the liquid was on the floor long enough that a careful business owner would have discovered the condition.
It is rare that you're going to find somebody who is in a store for 20-30 minutes or even an hour who can say that they came across a liquid while in the store and then came back an hour later when you fell, and the liquid was still there. Since the consumer cannot prove how long a liquid was on the floor, the store owner usually wins these claims.
Most stores have security cameras that are in the store 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, always watching the stores, the customers, and the floors. If there is a spill on the floor, the security cameras will catch it, and the video can tell the consumer and a jury how long the liquid was there and how long the store owner had to clean it up.
The lawyers of Stanley and Associates have fought to protect Texans and consumers from unsafe products, dangerous work conditions, unsafe job sites, and unreasonably dangerous premises.
If you, or someone you know have been seriously injured in a store, in an oil field accident, or in a construction accident - call Stanley and Associates. Call 844-227-9739 for more information.
If or when it is clear that the insurance company is unwilling to cooperate despite clear evidence of their insured's negligence, your attorney will file a lawsuit against the defendant.
It's very important to remember that your attorney would be suing the person that harmed you - not the insurance company. The insurance company will try to settle on behalf of their insured or they will hire lawyers to defend their insured in a lawsuit.
It's true! Even though it is fairly common knowledge that motorists are required to carry liability insurance, we are not allowed to mention it. This is so that the jury is not swayed into thinking the defendants can or cannot pay the potential amount the jury might award to the plaintiff.
This is a result of the power that the insurance lobby has over Texas law. That's a big win for the insurance companies but not always for the injured party. Insurance can prey on the sympathy the jury might feel for the defendant's ability or inability to pay for the plaintiff's damages.
On top of that, we have to pretend as if the defendant will be paying out of his or her own pocket for any potential verdict even though it is the insurance company who will pay.
It's important that passengers take the right steps after an accident to protect their potential claim. It may seem awkward to request insurance information if the at-fault driver is a friend, co-worker, or relative. However, that is exactly what liability insurance is for.
You may seem fine at first, but car wrecks often leave behind latent injuries that can take days, weeks, and in some cases, months to fully manifest. In fact, do not discuss your injuries with the insurance company at all.
Insurance companies are skilled in asking questions that have hidden legal implications in order to minimize your pain and suffering. Even everyday questions, such as "How are you?", can be used against you.
You should refrain from discussing your injuries until you have completed any treatment plans outlined by your doctor. It is best to consult with a personal injury attorney who can handle these conversations on your behalf and file a lawsuit to protect your rights.
You may have additional coverage on your own auto insurance policy, such as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Uninsured and Under Insured Motorist (UM/UIM), which can be critical if the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover your injuries.
Car accidents can be very disruptive to your everyday routine. Personal injury attorneys know the ins and outs of the entire process and can develop the best legal strategy for you to win your case.
Stanley and Associates are there for you through the entire process.
When you're already in pain, the last thing you want to deal with is phone calls, paperwork, and arguing with insurance companies. Our team will file all claims for you, handle all communications with the insurance companies, and we work with many physicians to ensure you get the treatment you need.
Best of all, you don't pay us a single dime until we win your case. If we don't win, you don't pay! If you're ready to make a decision, contact us as soon as possible. We are available 24/7 via email or phone call. Call 972-833-8000 today!
Once a police officer arrives, their job is to be a neutral third party and to document as much evidence as possible, including date, time, weather conditions, vehicle damages, injuries, identifying information for the individuals involved, witness statements, and video evidence (when available).
Based on the evidence collected, officers will typically assign contributing factors to determine who is at fault or majority at fault.
We have seen them all and they do occur more often than you may think. If the law enforcement officer got some objective information wrong, details about your vehicle, your insurance coverage, or the location of the accident, for example, you can probably get the report changed or amended as long as you provide documentation in support of the correction.
Critical errors, such as an officer attributing fault to you because of a misunderstanding, the officer siding with the other driver, assigning contributing factors to the wrong party or not obtaining a statement from an involved party, may require more effort on your part to have corrected, though, not impossible.
If you simply don't agree with something that is in the report, such as an account of the accident given by a witness, or the officer's finding that you violated a traffic law, you'll have a much tougher time getting any change made.
In that situation, the best you can probably do is write up your own version of the detail you are disputing and hope that it be included as a supplement to the report. In most cases, whether it is added to the report or not will be up to the law enforcement agency.
Once you have gathered your facts and details, it is time to contact the police officer or department to request the report be updated or changed. Remember:
If you find you are not getting anywhere with the police officer or department, it may be time to consult with an attorney regarding your personal injury case.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car wreck due to a drunk driver, contact Stanley & Associates for your free case consultation. We have represented thousands of clients across Texas and have over a decade of experience.
Our Texas car accident attorneys are available 24/7 to assist you. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means no fee unless we win. Call 844-227-9739
