Texas Transportation Code § 601.081 – Effect of Insurance Compliance in Lawsuits
Table of Contents
Statutory Text:
Sec. 601.081. EFFECT OF COMPLIANCE.
The fact that a person is complying with or has failed to comply with the motor vehicle safety responsibility laws of this state is not admissible as evidence in a civil trial of the person’s negligence or as evidence in the trial of a criminal offense.
What This Law Means for Injury Victims
This statute protects both parties in litigation by ensuring that insurance status alone cannot be used to prove or disprove fault in a lawsuit. In other words:
Having insurance does not mean you were careful
Lacking insurance does not automatically prove negligence
This keeps the focus on actual facts of the crash, not whether a driver complied with insurance laws.
However, a violation like driving without insurance can still be relevant in other ways such as showing reckless behavior when combined with other violations.
Example Scenario
A driver causes a crash and has no insurance. You sue for personal injury damages. Their attorney argues § 601.081 means their lack of insurance cannot be used to prove negligence in court. Your attorney must focus on their driving behavior, such as speeding or reckless conduct rather than their insurance status.
When This Law Applies
This statute is often cited in:
Auto accident injury lawsuits
Civil trials involving motor vehicle collisions
Disputes where one party wants to introduce insurance evidence to prove liability
It prevents either side from arguing that insurance coverage alone is proof of fault or good conduct.
Related Statutes
§ 601.051 – Insurance Requirement
§ 601.191 – Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
§ 601.193 – Repeat Offender Penalties
§ 601.083 – Admissibility of Insurance Evidence in Limited Contexts
Texas Rules of Evidence – Relevance and Prejudice in Trial
Texas Case Law Interpreting § 601.081
Held that the fact a defendant lacked insurance could not be introduced to prove negligence in a civil trial.
Reinforced that insurance status is generally inadmissible in civil negligence trials.
Frequently Asked Questions About § 601.081
Houston Personal Injury Lawyer - Joel A. Gordon
No. Texas law prohibits using a person’s insurance status to prove or disprove negligence at trial.
No. Fault is determined by your conduct, not whether you had insurance.
Only in very limited circumstances. Most of the time, insurance is kept out of the courtroom to avoid bias.
Yes. Your attorney will use witness statements, police reports, photos, and traffic law violations to prove fault.