UM/UIM coverage may help pay for your injuries and losses when the at-fault driver is legally responsible but is unable to provide proper coverage. This usually happens in three common situations.

First, UM coverage applies when the other driver is at fault and has no auto insurance at all. Second, UIM coverage can apply when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are simply too low to fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Third, UM coverage can also apply in a hit-and-run accident, where the driver flees the scene and cannot be located or identified.

These cases often involve serious injuries, and without UM/UIM coverage, the injured person may have limited options for financial recovery.

Many drivers are surprised to learn that the “standard” uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage limits in California may not be enough to cover a serious injury claim. Common UM/UIM limits include $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury or death. Property damage coverage is often $15,000.

Because medical treatment can become expensive quickly—especially with ER visits, imaging, surgery, and physical therapy—it’s important to understand how your coverage limits may affect your case.

If you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, UM/UIM coverage may allow you to seek compensation even when the at-fault driver cannot pay. Depending on your policy and the facts of the case, UM/UIM benefits may help cover medical expenses, lost income, and other accident-related costs.

UM/UIM claims may also include compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the long-term impact an injury has on your daily life. In many situations, this coverage becomes a critical financial safety net when another driver’s lack of insurance puts your recovery at risk.

Unfortunately, uninsured driving is more common than many people think. Studies have shown that approximately one in six motorists may be driving without any insurance coverage at all. That means even safe drivers can end up dealing with an uninsured motorist claim simply due to bad luck and someone else’s irresponsible decision.

This is one of the reasons UM/UIM coverage is so important—it helps protect you and your family from the financial consequences of an accident caused by an uninsured driver.

Compensation in a California personal injury case may include the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and future care. It can also include lost wages, reduced earning ability, and the physical pain that comes from the injury itself. Many clients are also affected emotionally, especially after traumatic incidents, and damages may reflect the impact an injury has on day-to-day life, sleep, mobility, and the ability to enjoy normal activities.

The value of a case depends on the severity of the injuries, how long recovery takes, whether long-term care is needed, and how clearly fault can be proven. Even when liability seems obvious, insurance companies often push back, which is why having legal guidance can make a real difference.

Even though UM/UIM claims are made through your own insurance policy, insurers may still challenge fault, minimize injuries, or dispute the value of a claim. These cases require proper documentation and a clear understanding of how policy benefits apply.

At Lee Arter Law, we help clients with UM/UIM claims by gathering evidence, documenting damages, handling communications with the insurance company, and pushing back against unfair delays or low settlement offers.