Being hit by a careless driver is bad enough. Finding out they don’t have enough insurance – or any insurance at all – can feel like a second crash. That’s where uninsured motorist claims come in. These claims are designed to protect you when the at-fault driver can’t pay for the harm they caused. At Robinson and Associates, we help injured people use every layer of insurance available so they are not left paying the price for someone else’s negligence.

What are uninsured and underinsured motorist claims?

Most auto insurance policies include coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists (often called UM/UIM). This is insurance you buy to protect yourself and your family, not the other driver.

• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance, is a hit-and-run driver, or their insurer denies coverage.
• Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their liability limits are too low to cover your medical bills, lost income, and other losses.

For example, if the other driver only carries the state minimum and your injuries are serious, their policy might run out long before your treatment is done. UM/UIM coverage can step in to fill that gap so you are not stuck with unpaid bills and uncompensated losses.

To learn more about how this coverage works in general, you can review resources from the Insurance Information Institute, then talk with an attorney about how the rules apply in your specific situation.

When do these claims apply after a crash?

Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims can come into play in many common real-world situations, including:

• A hit-and-run driver who flees the scene and is never identified.
• A driver with no insurance despite state laws requiring liability coverage.
• A driver with minimum limits that do not come close to covering the cost of surgery, rehabilitation, or long-term care.
• Passengers injured in a friend’s car when another driver causes the crash but has inadequate insurance.
• Pedestrians or cyclists hit by a car with no or low liability limits.

In each of these situations, your own UM/UIM coverage, or coverage on a household family member’s policy, may be available. The hard part is often figuring out which policies apply, how much coverage is available, and how to make the claim correctly so your own insurer does not try to minimize or deny your benefits.

That’s where experienced personal injury counsel makes a real difference.

How Robinson and Associates helps when coverage falls short

Many people assume that filing a claim with their own insurance company will be simple and friendly. Unfortunately, insurance carriers – even your own – are still businesses that make money by paying as little as possible on claims. When you pursue uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits, your insurer often becomes your legal opponent.

Personal injury services from Robinson and Associates are designed to level that playing field. Our team can:

• Analyze all potential sources of coverage. We look at your policy, the at-fault driver’s policy, and sometimes household policies to identify every dollar that may be available.
• Calculate the full value of your claim. That includes current and future medical care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages.
• Handle communication with the insurance companies. We manage recorded statements, forms, deadlines, and negotiations so you don’t say or sign something that can be used against you.
• Challenge lowball offers. If the insurer tries to undervalue your claim, we push back with medical evidence, expert opinions, and, when needed, litigation.
• Coordinate liens and reimbursements. Health insurance, Medicare, and others may claim reimbursement out of your settlement. We work to reduce these so more of the recovery stays with you.

Our goal in every uninsured or underinsured motorist case is simple: to make sure you are not left paying the price for another driver’s poor choices or inadequate insurance.

For more details on how we handle serious crashes, you can visit our car accident attorneys page and see how we approach complex injury claims from start to finish.

Common mistakes that can hurt an uninsured motorist claim

Because UM/UIM claims involve your own insurer, people often make well-intentioned mistakes that seriously damage their case. Some of the most common include:

• Giving a recorded statement without legal advice. Adjusters may ask friendly-sounding questions that are designed to limit what they have to pay later.
• Settling with the at-fault driver’s insurer too quickly. Accepting a low settlement or signing a release may cut off your right to pursue underinsured motorist benefits.
• Not getting timely medical treatment. Gaps in care or “toughing it out” can give the insurer an excuse to argue that you weren’t really hurt.
• Missing deadlines. UM/UIM claims have strict notice and filing requirements that are easy to miss if you are focused on healing.
• Trying to go it alone in a serious injury case. When injuries are significant, the financial stakes are high. Handling multiple claims and policies on your own can be overwhelming.

Talking with a personal injury lawyer early – even if you are not sure you want to file a case – can help you avoid these pitfalls and protect your rights.

What to do after a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver

If you are involved in a crash and suspect the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, taking the right steps early can strengthen any future claim:

1. Call 911 and get a police report. This creates an official record of what happened and may document the other driver’s lack of coverage.
2. Gather as much information as you safely can. Take photos, get witness names and contact details, and note anything unusual about the scene or the driver.
3. Seek medical care right away. Even if you feel “okay,” some injuries take hours or days to show up. Prompt treatment protects your health and your claim.
4. Notify your insurance company promptly. Most policies require you to report potential UM/UIM claims within a certain time frame.
5. Contact Robinson and Associates. Before you give detailed statements or accept any offers, talk with a lawyer who can explain the implications for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

You deserve to understand your options before making decisions that affect your health, finances, and future.

Talk with Robinson and Associates about your rights

Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are supposed to protect you – but they can quickly become complicated, technical, and adversarial. You do not have to figure all of this out on your own while you are trying to recover from an injury.

If you were hurt by a driver who had no insurance, too little insurance, or fled the scene, Robinson and Associates is here to help. We can review your policies, explain how UM/UIM coverage applies, and take over the fight with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.

Reach out today for a free consultation to discuss your situation, your coverage, and your next steps.