At Waddoups Law, our Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys know how devastating it can be to discover that the driver who caused your crash has little or no insurance coverage. Medical expenses, lost income, and vehicle repairs can quickly overwhelm victims and families who are simply trying to recover.
Our legal team has decades of experience helping Utah residents navigate complex insurance claims, particularly those involving uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) drivers. With more than 90 years of combined experience, over 1,200 mediations and arbitrations, and 85 jury trials, Waddoups Law provides the legal knowledge and tenacity clients need to obtain compensation when the at-fault driver cannot pay. Contact our dedicated legal team today to discuss your claim during a free consultation.
Understanding Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Utah
Utah law requires every driver to carry minimum auto insurance coverage, but not everyone complies. Even when a driver is insured, their policy limits may be too low to cover serious injuries or property damage. That’s where UM/UIM coverage comes in.
UM/UIM coverage is part of your own auto insurance policy and protects you if you are injured by a driver who either:
- Has no liability insurance at all (Uninsured Motorist).
- Has liability limits that are insufficient to cover your damages (Underinsured Motorist).
This protection applies whether you are driving your own vehicle, riding as a passenger, or even walking or cycling when struck by a negligent driver. Your policy follows you—not just your car—offering a vital safety net when other insurance options fall short.
How Uninsured and Underinsured Accidents Happen
Despite mandatory insurance laws, Utah continues to see thousands of crashes each year involving drivers without adequate coverage.
Common scenarios include:
- Drivers who fail to maintain the minimum required insurance coverage.
- Hit-and-run drivers who flee before being identified.
- Motorists with minimal liability policies that don’t come close to covering medical expenses.
- Multi-vehicle collisions where the at-fault driver’s coverage is spread thin among several victims.
- Accidents involving out-of-state drivers whose policies carry lower limits than Utah law requires.
These situations leave injured victims struggling to recover compensation through no fault of their own. Our attorneys understand the insurance industry’s tactics and know how to build strong claims that force insurers to honor their contractual obligations.
Who Is Covered Under a UM/UIM Policy?
Most Utah auto insurance policies extend UM/UIM protection to:
- The policyholder.
- Immediate family members living in the same household.
- Passengers in the insured vehicle.
Additionally, pedestrians and bicyclists injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver may also be eligible for coverage under their own policy or that of a resident relative. Understanding these nuances can make a significant difference in the outcome of a claim.
Our attorneys review all potential sources of recovery, including multiple insurance policies, employer-provided coverage, and third-party liability claims, to ensure that no avenue for compensation is overlooked.
What Compensation Is Available in UM/UIM Accident Claims?
When another driver’s insurance cannot meet your needs, your UM/UIM policy may provide benefits similar to what you could recover from a traditional personal injury claim.
Including:
- Medical expenses for hospital visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement.
- Wrongful death benefits for surviving family members.
Our legal team carefully calculates the total economic and non-economic damages you’ve suffered and negotiates aggressively to recover the full value of your claim.
Filing a UM/UIM Claim in Utah
Filing a UM/UIM claim may sound straightforward, but insurance companies frequently resist paying these claims, even when the evidence is clear.
Adjusters may argue that:
- The at-fault driver was not truly uninsured.
- Your injuries are exaggerated or unrelated to the crash.
- You failed to comply with notice or documentation requirements.
Because UM/UIM claims are made against your own insurance company, you might assume they will treat you fairly. Unfortunately, insurers often use the same tactics against opposing claimants.
At Waddoups Law, we handle every step of the process, including:
- Reviewing your insurance policy and coverage limits.
- Investigating the accident and identifying all responsible parties.
- Coordinating with law enforcement to confirm the uninsured or underinsured status of the at-fault driver.
- Gathering medical records, witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence.
- Preparing and submitting a comprehensive demand package to your insurer.
- Negotiating assertively for the compensation you deserve—or taking your case to arbitration or trial if necessary.
What to Do After an Accident with an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver
Your actions immediately following a crash can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation under a UM/UIM policy.
If possible:
- Call law enforcement to create an official police report identifying the at-fault driver.
- Obtain the driver’s information, including insurance details, registration, and license number.
- Take photos of the vehicles, scene, and visible injuries.
- Seek prompt medical attention and follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Notify your insurance company about the accident and potential UM/UIM claim.
- Contact an attorney before giving recorded statements or accepting any offers.
Our Salt Lake City personal injury lawyers can step in immediately to protect your rights, preserve critical evidence, and communicate with insurers on your behalf.
Why Choose Waddoups Law for Your UM/UIM Accident Case
At Waddoups Law, we know the frustration and uncertainty that come with dealing with insurance companies. Our attorneys have spent decades holding insurers accountable and recovering fair compensation for Utah injury victims.
- Proven experience: Over 90 years of combined practice in personal injury law.
- Results-driven approach: More than 1,200 resolved mediations and 85 jury trials.
- Client-first philosophy: Compassionate guidance and open communication throughout every case.
- Contingency-fee representation: You owe nothing unless we recover for you—and we guarantee your net recovery will exceed our fee percentage.
We treat every client like part of our team, ensuring that you always know where your case stands and that your best interests come first.
Contact Our Salt Lake City Uninsured and Underinsured Accident Attorneys Today
If you were injured by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver in Utah, you still have options for recovery. The legal process can be confusing, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Contact Waddoups Law today to schedule a free consultation with our Salt Lake County uninsured and underinsured accident attorneys. We’ll review your policy, explain your rights, and develop a strategy to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Let our team put more than 90 years of combined experience to work for you. Contact us today because at Waddoups Law Personal Injury Attorneys, your team is our team, and we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
