Car Crash With an Out-of-State Resident: How it Works
Car Crash With an Out-of-State Resident: How it Works
The pandemic certainly has sent a lot more people traveling around this country, and lots of out-of-state plates will inevitably lead to more accidents with local drivers, since visitors may be unfamiliar with roads and driving conditions.
It is important to realize that no matter what state they’re from, if you’re in an accident with an out-of-state driver, the process for assessing and allocating liability is basically the same as if the other driver is from your home state. The difference is that the location of the accident will probably determine which court has jurisdiction; even so, most car crashes are settled between the insurance companies and never end up in court.
When An Accident Occurs
- Pull over safely
- Call the police, immediately seek medical attention if you have any injuries, and file an accident report
- Request a copy of their license and insurance information, and reciprocally give your information to them
- Take pictures if possible
- Call your insurance company and give them the out-of-state driver’s information, and a clear statement of what happened. Make organized notes of everything you can remember about the accident, since this will become important later on.
They are Subject to Your State’s Jurisdiction
Rest assured that the driver’s insurance usually covers them wherever they are driving, as does yours, although this is something you should confirm with your insurance company. Should a lawsuit arise, it will probably be in a court in your state, since the other driver became subject to your state’s laws when they crossed the border. Sometimes, a lawsuit can be filed in federal court if the amount being sued for, stemming from injuries and damages, exceeds $75,000 or if there are questions of federal law involved in the accident.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with an out-of-state driver, immediately contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury. Getting you the support and compensation you deserve requires an attorney with skill and experience. Manfred Sternberg and the attorneys at Manfred Law have many years of successfully representing Texas residents in car accidents. We will help you handle all of the insurance and medical expenses that arise in these situations. Please call (713) 547-5460, or click here to contact us.
