Can Anything Be Done if An Uninsured or Underinsured Driver Injures You?

Summary:

Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims give injured people a path forward when the driver who hit them fails to carry enough insurance. These claims allow victims to tap into their own policies for compensation. A lawyer can step in to gather evidence, deal with insurers, and push for full payment when carriers try to cut corners.

A crash hits like a plot twist you never asked for, and it gets even wilder when the other driver carries little to no insurance. Florida roads see their share of people who treat insurance rules like optional side quests. When that gamble collides with your bumper, your bones, or your life, the financial fallout can feel like someone knocked the supports out from under you. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage steps in when the at-fault driver leaves you holding the bill, and it can be the difference between getting medical care paid for or drowning in it.

Uninsured or Underinsured Driver Coverage

Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage allow your own insurance policy to fill the gap when the at-fault driver fails to carry adequate coverage. UM applies when the driver has no insurance at all. UIM applies when the driver’s coverage runs out before your medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs stop stacking up. Florida law allows you to access this coverage as long as you elected it when you set up your policy.

Victims can activate UM or UIM coverage by notifying their insurer promptly, documenting the crash, and getting medical care without delay. Strong documentation helps avoid the predictable resistance insurers like to put up when they feel the pressure of a significant claim. Photos of the scene, medical evaluations, witness statements, accident reports, and proof of the other driver’s lack of adequate insurance play a central role. Staying organized during treatment, tracking symptoms, and keeping receipts for injury-related expenses help strengthen the demand.

What if Police Find the Culprit?

You can still pursue compensation from the driver if the police locate them later, even after you file a UM or UIM claim. Your insurer may seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver, and you may have the option to bring a direct claim against that person if they have assets or additional coverage. The key is to keep all documentation, because it helps preserve your ability to take action once the culprit is identified.

What a Lawyer Can Do

A lawyer can identify every available coverage layer by reviewing policies, investigating the crash, and calculating the full value of the claim. Insurers often attempt to minimize payouts by pointing to gaps in paperwork or downplaying injuries. A lawyer keeps them from steering the process in their favor. They communicate with adjusters, gather medical evidence, and build a damages package that reflects the true cost of the injury.

They also pursue compensation through litigation when an insurer refuses to honor the policy. This includes depositions, expert consultations, and preparing the case for court. Legal representation creates leverage that shifts the insurer’s incentives, because carriers respond differently when they face someone prepared to dig in and fight.

If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver and want someone to protect your claim from insurance games, contact Feldman Legal Group. Their team fights for people injured by careless drivers and keeps insurers from dodging responsibility. Let them review your situation and chart the best path forward.