When you’re injured in a car accident caused by another driver, your first thought might be to file a claim with their insurance company. But what happens when that driver has no insurance, or doesn’t carry enough to cover your losses?
Unfortunately, that’s a situation many Texans find themselves in. Whether due to hit-and-run crashes, uninsured drivers, or inadequate liability coverage, victims often face the challenge of recovering compensation when the other party can’t pay. That’s where uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage comes in and why having experienced legal representation matters, even when you’re dealing with your own insurer.
At the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we help injured victims throughout Texas navigate these complex claims and fight for the full compensation they deserve.
How Common Are Uninsured Drivers in Texas?
According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), 13.8% of Texas drivers were uninsured in 2022 – nearly 1 in 7. That puts Texas right in line with the national average, but the sheer number of uninsured motorists on Texas roads means the risk of an uncovered crash is very real.
And even among insured drivers, many carry only the state-required minimum:
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person
- $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
In serious injury cases, this can fall far short of covering medical bills, lost income, or long-term care needs—especially when multiple people are hurt.
What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage?
UM/UIM coverage is an optional type of auto insurance designed to protect you when the at-fault driver can’t.
There are two primary forms:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM): Applies when the other driver has no insurance or flees the scene (hit-and-run).
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM): Applies when the at-fault driver’s policy limits aren’t enough to cover your full damages.
Texas insurers are required to offer UM/UIM coverage, but drivers must opt in—and many unfortunately don’t realize its importance until it’s too late.
Most policies also split this into:
- UM/UIM Bodily Injury: Covers medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
- UM/UIM Property Damage: Covers damage to your vehicle or other property.
When Does UM/UIM Coverage Help?
UM/UIM coverage steps in during some of the most financially vulnerable and frustrating situations—especially when you expect the at-fault driver’s insurance to pay, only to find there’s little or none available. Despite its importance, this type of coverage is relatively inexpensive to add to your policy and can make a critical difference in scenarios such as:
- Hit-and-run accidents, where the at-fault driver flees the scene and can’t be identified, making it impossible to pursue a liability claim.
- Collisions with uninsured drivers, who were operating a vehicle without the legally required insurance—and likely lack personal assets to pay your damages.
- Crashes involving underinsured drivers, whose minimal coverage may only account for a fraction of your medical bills, lost wages, or vehicle damage.
- Accidents involving multiple victims, where a shared liability policy is quickly exhausted and doesn’t come close to meeting everyone’s needs.
- Pedestrian accidents or bicycle accidents, where you’re struck by a vehicle and the driver is uninsured, underinsured, or unidentified.
In all these scenarios, UM/UIM coverage acts as a critical financial safety net, allowing you to pursue compensation through your own policy when there’s no meaningful recovery available from the other side. But just because the policy is yours doesn’t mean the claim will be easy. Your insurer may still resist paying full value, especially for high-dollar injury claims.
That’s why it’s so important to have legal representation that understands how to present a strong UM/UIM claim and maximize your recovery from every available source.
Do I Still Need a Lawyer for a UM/UIM Claim?
Yes—and for good reason. Even though you’re filing a claim with your own insurer, you’re still dealing with a business that’s focused on minimizing payouts. Many valid claims are underpaid, delayed, or denied entirely.
An experienced Texas personal injury lawyer can help you:
- Review your policy and determine what UM/UIM coverage applies.
- Gather evidence and document damages to support your claim.
- Negotiate directly with the insurer to pursue a full and fair settlement.
- Litigate the claim if the insurance company refuses to pay what you’re owed.
- Identify other sources of recovery, including third-party liability or umbrella coverage.
Without legal help, many policyholders don’t realize they’re being offered far less than they’re entitled to.
What If I’m Partially at Fault – Or There Is More Than One Liable Party?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. That means you can still recover compensation if you’re less than 51% at fault for the crash but your recovery will be reduced by your share of the blame. Insurers – even your own – may try to shift responsibility to avoid paying the full value of your claim.
At the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we don’t just protect you from unfair fault assessments. We also help you maximize your recovery by exploring every available avenue of compensation. In many cases, that means going beyond your own UM/UIM coverage.
Depending on the circumstances, we may:
- Identify third-party liability (such as vehicle manufacturers, rideshare companies, or commercial carriers)
- Investigate whether multiple drivers share fault for the crash
- Seek coverage through employer policies or umbrella policies
- Challenge insurers who attempt to deny valid claims or underpay based on disputed fault
Even when UM/UIM coverage is involved, our goal is to build the strongest case possible and pursue every responsible party—so you’re not left covering the costs alone.
Why Choose the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C.?
At the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we have decades of experience handling auto accident and insurance claims across Texas. We know how to navigate the fine print of UM/UIM policies and fight for the compensation our clients deserve, whether that means negotiating directly with insurers or taking cases to trial.
With offices in Austin and Waco, we proudly serve clients across the state. We offer:
- Free, no-obligation consultations
- Contingency fee representation – You pay no legal fees unless we win
- A trial-tested legal team with a track record of results in complex injury cases
Final Thoughts: UM/UIM Coverage Is Worth It, But Legal Advocacy Is Essential
If you’ve been hurt in a crash and the other driver lacks insurance or doesn’t have enough, UM/UIM coverage may be your only path to financial recovery. But it’s not always a straightforward process. Your insurer may not act in your best interests, and the burden of proving your damages will fall on you.
Let our team shoulder that burden.
Call (254) 938-6885 or contact us online to speak with an attorney about your rights. We’ll help you understand your coverage, explore all possible sources of compensation, and fight for what you’re owed.