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Car Accidents
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyers in Arizona
When the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Is Not Enough
Most car accident claims focus on proving who caused the collision and what damages resulted. In uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, the at-fault driver may be known, but there may not be enough insurance coverage available to fully compensate the injured person.
When that happens, recovering compensation can become more complicated. An injured person may need to utilize their uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage within their own insurance policy, creating questions about available coverage, policy limits, and how benefits apply after a crash.
Understanding what insurance coverage may be available can be one of the most important steps after a serious accident. Speaking with an Arizona uninsured motorist accident lawyer may provide a clearer understanding of the options available after a collision.
Injured by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?
When Do Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims Arise?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims can arise in several different situations. The most common involves a driver who causes a crash but carries no insurance at all. In other cases, the at-fault driver has insurance, but the available coverage is not enough to fully compensate the injured person.
These claims may also arise after certain hit-and-run accidents, depending on the circumstances and the insurance coverage available.
Common situations include:
- A driver who has no auto insurance
- A driver whose insurance coverage is insufficient for the damages caused
- A hit-and-run driver who cannot be identified
- Serious injuries that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits
In each situation, the central issue is often the same: there may be a gap between the losses suffered and the insurance coverage available to pay for them.
Does the Other Driver Still Need to Be at Fault?
In most uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, fault still matters. The injured person generally must show that another driver caused the accident and that the resulting injuries and damages are connected to the collision.
Evidence may include police reports, photographs, witness statements, medical records, crash reconstruction evidence, and other information showing how the accident occurred.
While the insurance issues may be different, the claim often begins with the same question found in many car accident cases: who acted negligently and how did that negligence cause the injuries being claimed?
Injuries After an Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Accident
Broken Bones
Fractures may require immobilization, surgery, physical therapy, or time away from work during recovery.
Internal Injuries
Internal bleeding or organ trauma may not be obvious right away and should be evaluated quickly after a serious crash.
Whiplash, Neck, and Back Injuries
Impact collision can cause whiplash, neck injuries, and back injuries may cause pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, headaches, numbness, or radiating discomfort.
Brain Injuries and TBIs
A car crash can cause headaches, dizziness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, or changes in balance.
Muscle Strain, Airbag Burns, and Seatbelt Injuries
Muscle strains, airbag burns, bruising, and seatbelt injuries may still require treatment, documentation, and time to heal.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims can arise from accidents ranging from relatively minor collisions to catastrophic crashes. The severity of the injuries often plays an important role because serious injuries may quickly exceed the insurance coverage available from the at-fault driver.
What Evidence May Be Important in a UM or UIM Claim?
A strong uninsured or underinsured motorist claim often depends on proving both liability and damages. Evidence may be needed to establish how the crash occurred, who caused it, the extent of the injuries, and what coverage may be available.
Relevant evidence may include police reports, medical records, insurance information, policy documents, wage-loss records, and documentation showing how the injuries affected daily life.
Because insurance coverage often becomes a central issue, reviewing available policies and understanding how coverage applies can be as important as investigating the collision itself. Speaking with an uninsured motorist lawyer may provide a clearer understanding of available coverage after a serious accident.
Compensation After an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Accident
Compensation may be available for losses connected to the accident and resulting injuries. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may include:
- Medical expenses and future treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Other accident-related losses
The available compensation often depends on the insurance coverage that applies to the claim. When serious injuries are involved, questions about policy limits and available benefits can become especially important.
Every case is different, but understanding the available sources of recovery is often a critical step after an uninsured or underinsured motorist accident.
How Torgenson Law Helps After an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Accident
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims often involve more than determining who caused the accident. Questions may arise regarding policy language, available coverage, insurance limits, and how different sources of recovery interact.
Torgenson Law investigates accidents, evaluates evidence, reviews applicable insurance coverage, and works to identify potential sources of compensation. An uninsured motorist lawyer can help evaluate available coverage after a serious accident.
These claims may involve negotiations with multiple insurance carriers and disputes over damages. Speaking with an underinsured motorist lawyer may provide a clearer understanding of the options available when the at-fault driver’s coverage is insufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Uninsured motorist coverage may provide compensation when an at-fault driver causes an accident but does not carry insurance.
Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when the at-fault driver has insurance, but the available policy limits are not enough to fully compensate the injured person.
In many cases, yes. Establishing how the crash occurred and who caused it remains an important part of most uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.
Certain hit-and-run accidents may qualify for uninsured motorist coverage depending on the circumstances and the language of the insurance policy.
As of 2026, Arizona requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. Because insurance requirements can change, drivers can consult the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions for the latest information.
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Reviewed by John Torgenson, Managing Partner and Arizona personal injury attorney, practicing since 2004. View credentials.