{"id":3821,"date":"2026-08-24T16:00:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T16:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/?p=3821"},"modified":"2026-08-28T19:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T19:10:14","slug":"uninsured-motorist-accident-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/blog\/uninsured-motorist-accident-lawyer\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do If You Are Hit By an Uninsured Driver"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3821\" class=\"elementor elementor-3821\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7150a7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e7150a7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d6e9e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d6e9e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\"><div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"d0ea069a-d7e9-45a4-b83b-70886e03d15d\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5\"><div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\"><div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words dark markdown-new-styling\"><h1>Arizona Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer<\/h1><p>Being hit by an uninsured driver can leave you with an immediate question: Who pays for my injuries if the driver who caused the accident has no insurance?<\/p><p>The answer may depend on your own auto insurance policy and the circumstances of the crash. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can provide an important source of compensation when an at-fault driver does not have applicable liability insurance.<\/p><p>Tinoco Law represents people injured by uninsured drivers throughout Arizona. We investigate the crash, identify available insurance coverage, document your injuries and losses, and pursue the compensation available under the applicable policies.<\/p><h2>What Happens If an Uninsured Driver Hits You in Arizona?<\/h2><p>If another driver causes an accident but does not have liability insurance, you may still have options for recovering compensation.<\/p><p>Depending on the circumstances, potential sources of recovery may include:<\/p><ul><li><p>Your uninsured motorist coverage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Insurance coverage available through another applicable policy<\/p><\/li><li><p>Other responsible parties<\/p><\/li><li><p>A claim directly against the at-fault driver<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>One of the first steps after discovering that the other driver is uninsured should be determining exactly what insurance coverage is available.<\/p><h2>What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?<\/h2><p>Uninsured motorist coverage is insurance designed to protect insured individuals when they are injured by a driver who does not have applicable liability insurance.<\/p><p>Arizona law requires insurers writing motor vehicle liability policies to offer uninsured motorist coverage, although an insured can reject the coverage.<\/p><p>If you purchased UM coverage and an uninsured driver causes your injuries, you may be able to make a claim through your own insurance policy.<\/p><p>The fact that the claim involves your own insurer does not mean the insurer will automatically agree with you about liability, the severity of your injuries, or the value of your claim.<\/p><h2>What Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover?<\/h2><p>Uninsured motorist coverage generally concerns bodily injury caused by an uninsured driver.<\/p><p>Depending on your policy and the circumstances, a UM claim may involve compensation for losses such as:<\/p><ul><li><p>Medical expenses<\/p><\/li><li><p>Future medical treatment<\/p><\/li><li><p>Lost income<\/p><\/li><li><p>Reduced earning capacity<\/p><\/li><li><p>Pain and suffering<\/p><\/li><li><p>Permanent injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Disability<\/p><\/li><li><p>Other damages resulting from the bodily injury<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>The specific coverage available depends on the language, limits, exclusions, and other terms of the applicable insurance policy.<\/p><h2>How Do I Know If I Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?<\/h2><p>Start by checking your auto insurance declarations page.<\/p><p>Look for terms such as:<\/p><ul><li><p>Uninsured Motorist<\/p><\/li><li><p>UM<\/p><\/li><li><p>UM Bodily Injury<\/p><\/li><li><p>Uninsured\/Underinsured Motorist<\/p><\/li><li><p>UM\/UIM<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>Your declarations page should also identify the limits associated with the coverage.<\/p><p>Arizona insurers must make uninsured motorist coverage available and offer it to the named insured. The insured may purchase coverage or reject it.<\/p><p>If you are unsure whether coverage applies, an attorney can review the applicable insurance documents and circumstances of the accident.<\/p><h2>Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage<\/h2><p>Although the terms are often mentioned together, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage address different situations.<\/p><p><strong>Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage<\/strong> generally applies when the responsible driver does not have applicable liability insurance.<\/p><p><strong>Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage<\/strong> may apply when the responsible driver has liability insurance, but the available liability limits are insufficient to cover the injured person&#8217;s damages.<\/p><p>Arizona law requires insurers to offer both UM and UIM coverage.<\/p><p>For example, suppose another driver causes a serious crash and has liability insurance, but their policy limit does not fully compensate you for the losses caused by your injuries. Depending on your coverage and the circumstances, an underinsured motorist claim may provide an additional potential source of recovery.<\/p><h2>What Should You Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver?<\/h2><p>The steps you take after the collision can affect your ability to establish what happened and document your injuries.<\/p><h3>1. Call the Police<\/h3><p>Report the accident and request law enforcement when appropriate.<\/p><p>A police report can help document the drivers involved, insurance information provided at the scene, witnesses, and circumstances surrounding the collision.<\/p><p>Do not rely solely on another driver&#8217;s statement that they do or do not have insurance. Coverage should be independently verified.<\/p><h3>2. Get Medical Attention<\/h3><p>Seek appropriate medical care for your injuries.<\/p><p>Some injuries may not be immediately obvious after a crash. Symptoms involving the neck, back, brain, and soft tissues can become more noticeable after the initial shock of the collision.<\/p><h3>3. Document the Accident<\/h3><p>If you can safely do so, collect:<\/p><ul><li><p>Photos of both vehicles<\/p><\/li><li><p>Photos of the accident scene<\/p><\/li><li><p>Video of the surrounding area<\/p><\/li><li><p>License plate information<\/p><\/li><li><p>Driver information<\/p><\/li><li><p>Witness names and contact information<\/p><\/li><li><p>Police report information<\/p><\/li><li><p>Photos of visible injuries<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>Also preserve dash-camera footage if your vehicle has it.<\/p><h3>4. Notify Your Insurance Company<\/h3><p>Your insurance policy may contain requirements concerning when and how an accident or UM claim must be reported.<\/p><p>Provide accurate information, but be cautious about making assumptions regarding fault, the severity of your injuries, or how quickly you expect to recover.<\/p><h3>5. Preserve Your Insurance Documents<\/h3><p>Keep copies of:<\/p><ul><li><p>Your declarations page<\/p><\/li><li><p>Insurance policy<\/p><\/li><li><p>Coverage correspondence<\/p><\/li><li><p>Claim numbers<\/p><\/li><li><p>Emails and letters<\/p><\/li><li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/blog\/who-pays-medical-bills-after-a-car-accident-in-arizona\/\">Medical bills<\/a><\/p><\/li><li><p>Medical records<\/p><\/li><li><p>Wage documentation<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>These documents can help establish what coverage is available and the losses associated with your claim.<\/p><h2>What If the Uninsured Driver Flees the Scene?<\/h2><p>Hit-and-run accidents can raise additional insurance issues because the responsible driver may never be identified.<\/p><p>If another vehicle hits you and leaves the scene:<\/p><ul><li><p>Call the police<\/p><\/li><li><p>Seek medical care when needed<\/p><\/li><li><p>Photograph the scene and vehicle damage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Look for nearby surveillance cameras<\/p><\/li><li><p>Identify witnesses<\/p><\/li><li><p>Preserve dash-camera footage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Notify your insurance carrier<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>Businesses, homes, traffic cameras, or other vehicles may have recorded the collision or the fleeing vehicle.<\/p><p>Video evidence can disappear quickly if it is automatically overwritten, so identifying potential footage early may be important.<\/p><h2>Do You Have to Prove the Uninsured Driver Was at Fault?<\/h2><p>Having UM coverage does not eliminate the need to establish responsibility for the accident.<\/p><p>A claim may still require evidence showing that the uninsured driver caused the collision and that the crash caused your injuries.<\/p><p>Evidence can include:<\/p><ul><li><p>Police reports<\/p><\/li><li><p>Accident-scene photographs<\/p><\/li><li><p>Vehicle damage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Dash-camera footage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Surveillance footage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Witness statements<\/p><\/li><li><p>Traffic-camera evidence<\/p><\/li><li><p>Electronic vehicle data<\/p><\/li><li><p>Medical records<\/p><\/li><li><p>Expert analysis when necessary<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>Fault can become particularly important when the drivers give conflicting accounts of how the crash occurred.<\/p><h2>What If the Insurance Company Disputes Your UM Claim?<\/h2><p>A UM claim is made through an insurance policy that applies to you, but that does not mean every aspect of the claim will be undisputed.<\/p><p>An insurer may question:<\/p><ul><li><p>Who caused the accident<\/p><\/li><li><p>Whether the other driver was actually uninsured<\/p><\/li><li><p>Whether the policy provides coverage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Whether the accident caused your injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Whether treatment was necessary<\/p><\/li><li><p>Whether a pre-existing condition contributed to your symptoms<\/p><\/li><li><p>The amount of your lost income<\/p><\/li><li><p>Whether future treatment is necessary<\/p><\/li><li><p>The overall value of your damages<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>A UM claim therefore still requires evidence establishing liability, causation, injuries, and damages.<\/p><h2>Can You Sue the Uninsured Driver?<\/h2><p>Potentially.<\/p><p>A person who causes an accident can still be legally responsible for the resulting damages even if they do not have insurance.<\/p><p>However, obtaining a judgment and actually collecting money from an uninsured individual are separate issues.<\/p><p>An attorney can investigate available insurance and potentially responsible parties before determining the most appropriate sources of recovery.<\/p><h2>What If Someone Else Is Also Responsible for the Accident?<\/h2><p>An uninsured driver may not be the only potentially responsible party.<\/p><p>Depending on how the accident occurred, another driver, vehicle owner, employer, business, or other party could potentially share responsibility.<\/p><p>This can be especially important in crashes involving:<\/p><ul><li><p>Commercial vehicles<\/p><\/li><li><p>Multiple vehicles<\/p><\/li><li><p>Drivers working at the time of the collision<\/p><\/li><li><p>Dangerous roadway conditions<\/p><\/li><li><p>Other circumstances involving third parties<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>A thorough investigation should identify all potentially responsible parties rather than assuming the uninsured driver is the only possible source of recovery.<\/p><h2>What If You Were Partially at Fault?<\/h2><p>Arizona follows a comparative negligence system.<\/p><p>If you share responsibility for the accident, the amount of damages you can recover may generally be reduced according to your percentage of fault.<\/p><p>For example, if you sustained $100,000 in damages but were determined to be 20% responsible for the accident, the amount attributable to the other party could generally be reduced accordingly, subject to the facts and applicable Arizona law.<\/p><p>Evidence establishing exactly how the collision occurred becomes especially important when fault is disputed.<\/p><h2>Injuries Caused by Uninsured Drivers<\/h2><p>An uninsured motorist accident can cause the same serious injuries as any other collision.<\/p><p>Tinoco Law represents accident victims suffering injuries such as:<\/p><ul><li><p>Traumatic brain injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Concussions<\/p><\/li><li><p>Back injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Neck injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Herniated discs<\/p><\/li><li><p>Spinal cord injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Broken bones<\/p><\/li><li><p>Shoulder and knee injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Nerve damage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Catastrophic injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Permanent disabilities<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>For serious injuries, determining future medical needs and the effect on the person&#8217;s ability to work may be just as important as documenting existing medical bills.<\/p><h2>How Much Is an Uninsured Motorist Claim Worth?<\/h2><p>There is no standard value for an uninsured motorist claim.<\/p><p>The potential value depends on factors including:<\/p><ul><li><p>Severity of the injuries<\/p><\/li><li><p>Medical treatment<\/p><\/li><li><p>Future medical needs<\/p><\/li><li><p>Lost wages<\/p><\/li><li><p>Reduced earning capacity<\/p><\/li><li><p>Permanent impairment<\/p><\/li><li><p>Pain and suffering<\/p><\/li><li><p>Available insurance coverage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Policy limits<\/p><\/li><li><p>Strength of the liability evidence<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>Available coverage is particularly important. Even when damages are substantial, insurance policy limits can affect how much compensation is realistically available from a particular source.<\/p><h2>Can You Recover Compensation If You Don&#8217;t Have UM Coverage?<\/h2><p>Possibly, but the available options may be more limited.<\/p><p>Potential sources of recovery depend on the specific circumstances and could include another applicable insurance policy, another responsible party, or a direct claim against the uninsured driver.<\/p><p>This is why an accident involving an uninsured motorist should be investigated before assuming there is no available compensation.<\/p><h2>What If the Driver Has Insurance but Not Enough?<\/h2><p>That is generally an <strong>underinsured motorist<\/strong> issue rather than an uninsured motorist claim.<\/p><p>Underinsured motorist coverage is designed to address situations in which the responsible driver&#8217;s available liability coverage is insufficient to cover the injured person&#8217;s damages. Arizona insurers are required to offer UIM coverage along with UM coverage.<\/p><p>Serious injury cases should therefore include an evaluation of all potentially applicable insurance policies and limits.<\/p><h2>How Long Do You Have to File an Uninsured Motorist Claim in Arizona?<\/h2><p>Deadlines involving uninsured motorist claims can depend on the circumstances, the applicable statutes, and the insurance policy.<\/p><p>Do not assume that a general personal injury deadline is the only deadline that matters.<\/p><p>Insurance policies may also contain notice, cooperation, and other claim requirements.<\/p><p>Waiting can create practical problems as well. Surveillance footage can be erased, vehicles can be repaired, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and other evidence can disappear.<\/p><p>Having the claim evaluated early can help identify the applicable deadlines and preserve evidence.<\/p><h2>How Tinoco Law Handles Uninsured Motorist Accident Claims<\/h2><p>An uninsured driver does not mean there is nothing to investigate.<\/p><p>Tinoco Law examines both <strong>who caused the accident and where compensation may be available.<\/strong><\/p><p>Depending on the case, that may involve:<\/p><ol><li><p>Investigating how the collision occurred<\/p><\/li><li><p>Confirming the other driver&#8217;s insurance status<\/p><\/li><li><p>Reviewing applicable UM and UIM coverage<\/p><\/li><li><p>Identifying other potentially responsible parties<\/p><\/li><li><p>Preserving accident evidence<\/p><\/li><li><p>Collecting medical documentation<\/p><\/li><li><p>Documenting lost income<\/p><\/li><li><p>Evaluating future medical and employment consequences<\/p><\/li><li><p>Presenting the claim to the appropriate insurer<\/p><\/li><li><p>Preparing for litigation when necessary<\/p><\/li><\/ol><p>For serious injuries, the goal is to understand the complete value of the claim before determining whether a proposed resolution adequately addresses the losses involved.<\/p><h2>Frequently Asked Questions About Uninsured Driver Accidents<\/h2><h3>Who pays my medical bills if the other driver has no insurance?<\/h3><p>The answer depends on the insurance coverage available and the circumstances of the accident. UM coverage may provide compensation for bodily injury caused by an uninsured driver, while other applicable coverage may also need to be evaluated.<\/p><h3>Will my insurance cover an accident caused by an uninsured driver?<\/h3><p>It may if you have applicable uninsured motorist coverage. Review your declarations page and policy to determine whether UM coverage is included and what limits apply.<\/p><h3>Does Arizona require uninsured motorist coverage?<\/h3><p>Arizona requires insurers to <strong>offer<\/strong> uninsured motorist coverage, but drivers can reject the coverage.<\/p><h3>What if I don&#8217;t know whether the other driver has insurance?<\/h3><p>Do not rely solely on information exchanged at the scene. Insurance status can be investigated and verified after the collision.<\/p><h3>Is a hit-and-run considered an uninsured motorist accident?<\/h3><p>UM coverage can potentially become relevant in hit-and-run situations, depending on the circumstances and terms of the applicable policy. The accident should be reported promptly and available evidence should be preserved.<\/p><h3>Do I need a lawyer if I am making a claim against my own insurance company?<\/h3><p>You are not required to hire an attorney simply because you have a UM claim. However, serious injuries, disputed liability, coverage questions, or disagreements about damages can make these claims more complicated.<\/p><h2>Talk to an Arizona Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer<\/h2><p>Finding out that the driver who caused your accident has no insurance can be frustrating, but it does not necessarily mean you have no way to recover compensation.<\/p><p>Tinoco Law can investigate the crash, determine what insurance coverage may apply, identify other potentially responsible parties, and document the full impact of your injuries.<\/p><p>If you were injured by an uninsured driver in Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Goodyear, or elsewhere in Arizona, contact Tinoco Law to discuss your options after the accident.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a0aa4c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1a0aa4c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-291044d elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"291044d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/portfolio-1.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Case one\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWe're available 24\/7\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFREE Case Evaluation\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-\" href=\"tel:(480)%20900-4242\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ud83d\udcde Call now\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arizona Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Being hit by an uninsured driver can leave you with an immediate question: Who pays for my injuries if the driver who caused the accident has no insurance? The answer may depend on your own auto insurance policy and the circumstances of the crash. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can provide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":577,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-injury","category-car-accident"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3821"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3930,"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3821\/revisions\/3930"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tinocolawpllc.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}