Why You May Need an Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
Arizona law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone follows that requirement — in fact, roughly one in ten drivers on Arizona roads is uninsured. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you may be able to file a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage.
Arizona doesn’t automatically require every driver to carry UM/UIM coverage. Instead, insurers are required to offer it on every auto policy (A.R.S. § 20-259.01) — and unless a driver rejects it in writing, it’s typically included by default. Because a significant number of Arizona drivers are uninsured or underinsured, having this coverage can make a critical difference if you’re ever injured by one of them.
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Arizona Underinsured & Uninsured Motorist Lawyers
At Arizona Lawyers Group, we help represent clients who need Arizona uninsured motorist attorneys to navigate the state’s complex legal system. It’s crucial to understand that pursuing a claim against an uninsured motorist works very differently than filing against a responsible driver’s insurance company. You need an experienced legal mind to help you navigate it.
What Is an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident?
Under Arizona law, insurance companies are required to offer policyholders uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on every auto policy. Unlike some states, this coverage is typically included by default in Arizona — a driver has to formally reject it in writing if they don’t want it. Still, many drivers are unaware they have this protection, or unknowingly waived it years ago.
If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, one of two things is true:
- The driver’s coverage didn’t fully cover your damages, or
- The driver had no insurance at all
Dealing with either situation can be challenging, since the at-fault party may have little or nothing to offer toward your damages. Get in touch with a skilled Arizona car accident attorney so they can walk you through your options and help protect your family’s financial interests. At Arizona Lawyers Group, our dedicated team of car accident attorneys is ready to help you pursue full compensation for your damages.
What Are the Consequences of Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists?
If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, here’s what you may be facing:
- Damage to your car may not be covered
- Your insurer may have limited ability to recover costs from the at-fault driver
- Your medical bills may go unpaid by the responsible party
However, if you have UM/UIM coverage on your own policy, your insurance company can step in to cover your car damage, pain and suffering, and medical bills. It’s also worth knowing that driving without adequate insurance carries real legal consequences in Arizona. The state requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and a minimum of $15,000 in property damage coverage.
If a driver doesn’t carry this required coverage, they can be held personally liable for the damage they cause. If you’re dealing with this kind of situation and need an uninsured motorist attorney, we’re here to help. Our team will help you pursue legal action against the at-fault party, even if they carry little or no insurance. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
How UM and UIM Claims Work in Arizona
Arizona law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone complies — which is exactly why UM/UIM coverage matters so much. If you’ve been injured by an uninsured motorist, you can typically file a claim under your own UM coverage, assuming you didn’t reject it in writing when you purchased your policy.
After an accident with an uninsured motorist, your own insurance company effectively steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver to cover your damages. Because they’re the ones paying, don’t be surprised if they scrutinize the claim closely — arguing you were partially at fault, or downplaying the severity of your injuries. These negotiations call for a skilled personal injury attorney from Arizona Lawyers Group.
One important detail: most UM/UIM insurance policies include a consent-to-settle clause, which requires you to notify your own insurer before accepting any settlement from the at-fault party. Failing to do so can jeopardize your ability to pursue a UIM claim afterward. Arizona also imposes specific notice deadlines for UM/UIM claims (generally three years from the accident to notify your insurer of your intent to pursue a claim, under A.R.S. § 12-555), separate from the two-year deadline for filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. These overlapping deadlines make UM/UIM claims genuinely complex, and trying to navigate them without an experienced attorney can put you at a real disadvantage. You should always consult an attorney before settling with either the at-fault party’s insurer or your own.
What To Do If You’ve Been Hurt in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver
Getting treated for your injuries should always come first. The first thing you should do after any accident is seek medical attention — let a professional evaluate everything you’re dealing with. Depending on your coverage, your own insurance may help pay for this care. If the other driver is uninsured and you don’t have UM coverage, you may be unable to recover compensation for property damage or pain and suffering, which is exactly why speaking with an uninsured motorist attorney matters.
Here are the steps to take after being injured by an uninsured driver:
Call the Police: Contact law enforcement as soon as possible — you’ll need the police report to support your case later.
Obtain Information: Get whatever details you can from the other driver, including their license plate number and any insurance information, even if you suspect they’re uninsured. Much of this may also appear in the police report.
Get Medical Attention: Seek treatment right away, regardless of how minor your injuries seem at first.
Obtain Evidence: If it’s safe to do so, gather evidence at the scene — photos of the vehicles and injuries, and contact information for any witnesses.
After that, contact an experienced personal injury attorney and your own insurance company as soon as possible.
How We Can Help
At Arizona Lawyers Group, we provide comprehensive legal guidance to help you pursue the highest compensation available to you.
Comprehensive Legal Support
Our experienced uninsured motorist lawyers support you through every stage of the process — investigation, documentation, negotiation, courtroom representation, and anything else your case requires.
Maximizing Your Compensation
While your insurance company may try to minimize your payout, we work to maximize it. We pursue every available avenue for compensation, including:
- Filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault uninsured driver
- Filing a claim under your UM/UIM coverage
- Leveraging other coverage types, such as collision or medical payments coverage
- Identifying any potential third-party liability
We don’t rely on a single strategy — we pursue every path that could strengthen your case.
Experience with Complex Cases
UM/UIM claims are often more complex than standard car accident cases, especially when disputes arise with your own insurer over fault or the value of your damages. Despite these challenges, we have a strong track record of securing fair compensation for our clients in these exact situations. Our litigation team brings deep experience navigating Arizona’s motorist liability laws to help you through every complexity involved in uninsured and underinsured driver claims.
Contact our skilled personal injury lawyers to work through this situation as smoothly and effectively as possible.
Hire a Skilled Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Attorney in Arizona
The earlier you consult an uninsured motorist accident attorney, the stronger your case is likely to be. With early involvement, we can:
- Help you gather and organize evidence quickly and effectively
- Negotiate with all relevant parties on your behalf
- Track and meet every important legal deadline
- Protect you from having your losses underestimated
- Help you reach an outcome that fully reflects your needs
Dealing with the physical and emotional toll of an accident is difficult enough on its own — you shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden of an accident that wasn’t your fault, too.
Contact our experienced Arizona uninsured motorist lawyers today for a free consultation, where you can review your legal options under Arizona law and decide on the best path forward. We’re here to help you avoid facing the emotional and financial burden alone.
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