Salt Lake City Uninsured and Underinsured Accident Lawyer

A car accident is jarring enough on its own, but the aftermath becomes far more stressful when you learn the other driver can’t pay for the damage they caused. Now, on top of painful injuries and missed time at work, you have to figure out how to recover compensation from a motorist who carried little or no insurance.

If you find yourself in this situation, We Win Injury Law can help you pursue the compensation you are owed through an uninsured and underinsured motorist claim. Our auto accident attorneys in Salt Lake City have guided countless Salt Lake City residents through the complexities of Utah’s insurance laws-—contact us today to learn how we can protect your rights and your financial future.

What Are Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Claims?

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is a type of auto insurance that protects you when the driver who caused your accident can’t cover your losses. While Utah law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, not everyone complies. Even those who do may carry only the bare minimum. UM/UIM coverage exists to fill that gap.

• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no auto insurance at all. If you are rear-ended by an uninsured driver and your damages meet Utah’s statutory thresholds, you would file a claim under your own UM policy. 
• Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver’s policy limits are not enough to cover your total damages. For instance, if your losses amount to $80,000 but the other driver only carries $65,000 in coverage, your UIM policy can cover the remaining $15,000, up to your own policy cap.

Utah does not require drivers to purchase UM/UIM coverage. However, adding it to your policy is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make. If you have been involved in a collision, our Salt Lake City uninsured and underinsured motorist claims lawyers can review your policy to determine the full scope of coverage available to you.

Your Legal Options After an Accident with an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver

Utah follows a no-fault car insurance system, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays the first $3,000 of your medical bills after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. PIP benefits typically extend to the policyholder, passengers in the covered vehicle, permissive borrowers of the vehicle, and pedestrians injured in an accident involving the insured car. 

However, PIP has its limits. A no-fault claim does not allow you to recover compensation for pain and suffering or other non-economic damages. To step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver, your case must meet one of Utah’s statutory thresholds:

• Your medical bills must exceed $3,000 as a result of the accident.
• You must have suffered a permanent disability, permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement, or dismemberment.

Once your injuries meet one or both of these thresholds, you gain the right to file a third-party insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. This opens the door to full compensation, including pain and suffering and all other non-economic losses. 

When the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own UM/UIM coverage becomes your primary path to compensation. Instead of pursuing the other driver’s insurer, you file a claim under your own policy to recover what their coverage left unpaid.

We Win Injury Law Will Fight for the Compensation You Deserve

Dealing with multiple insurance policies, filing deadlines, and coverage disputes can be challenging when you are recovering from the aftermath of an accident. Utah’s insurance landscape is layered with rules that can work for or against you depending on how well you navigate them. 

At We Win Injury Law, we do the heavy lifting on your behalf. That means reviewing your full policy for every available benefit, managing communications with your insurer, and building a claim that accounts for both your current losses and your future needs. We will review every layer of your coverage—PIP, UM/UIM, and any stackable policies across your household—to make sure nothing is overlooked.

What Does Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Actually Cover?

When another driver causes an accident and carries adequate insurance, their policy should help pay for injuries sustained by you and your passengers. But when that driver is uninsured or underinsured, the financial burden can shift onto your shoulders. 

UM/UIM coverage is designed to prevent that outcome. It protects you and your passengers by covering bodily injuries that result from a collision with a driver who lacks sufficient insurance. Depending on your policy, covered expenses may include:

• Medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity during your recovery
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering associated with the accident
• Long-term care or ongoing treatment for serious or permanent injuries

What to Do After a Crash with an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver

The steps you take after an accident can affect the outcome of your UM/UIM claim. Even in a stressful moment, being deliberate about your actions will help protect your rights. Here is what our attorneys recommend:

• Call law enforcement and obtain a police report. This documents the accident, the at-fault driver’s information, and any evidence that they lack proper insurance.
• Seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation creates a record linking your injuries to the accident.
• Document everything. Photograph the scene, collect witness contact information, and keep all records related to your medical treatment and expenses.
• Do not accept under-the-table offers from the at-fault driver. A cash payment at the scene may seem convenient, but it can undermine your ability to file a legitimate claim and will rarely cover the true cost of your injuries.
• Contact a Salt Lake City UM/UIM attorney before signing anything. Insurance companies may present early settlement offers designed to close your case quickly. We Win Injury Law will evaluate any offer to verify it reflects the full value of your claim.

Contact a Salt Lake City Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyer

Dealing with an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim can be frustrating, especially when your own insurance company isn’t on your side. At We Win Injury Law, we know the tactics insurers use to minimize UM/UIM payouts, and we will fight for every dollar you are owed. Call us today at 435-688-9558 or fill out our form to schedule your free consultation with a Salt Lake City car accident attorney.