You get into a car accident. The other driver is clearly at fault. You expect their insurance to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs. Then you find out the other driver has no insurance at all. Now what? If you live in a state where uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory, you might be staring at thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. Even if your state requires it, you need to understand exactly how this coverage works and what steps to take immediately after the crash.

First, let’s be clear about what uninsured motorist coverage, often called UM coverage, actually does. It is a part of your own auto insurance policy that steps in to pay for your injuries and damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance. It also covers you in hit-and-run accidents where you cannot identify the other driver. UM coverage typically pays for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering up to the limits you selected when you bought your policy. It does not cover damage to your vehicle. That requires a separate coverage called uninsured motorist property damage, or UMPD, which is not available in every state.

If you have never specifically selected UM coverage, check your policy. In many states, insurers are required to offer it, but you might have signed a waiver rejecting it. If you rejected it, you are self-insuring against uninsured drivers. That means you will have to sue the at-fault driver personally, and even if you win a judgment, collecting the money from someone who cannot afford insurance is extremely difficult. Most uninsured drivers have few assets. Wage garnishment or property liens might work, but the process can take years and yield nothing.

Your first action after an accident with an uninsured driver is to call the police. Get a police report that documents the other driver’s lack of insurance. Without that official record, your insurance company may question your claim. Also, get the other driver’s name, address, and license plate number. If they flee the scene, note as many details as possible about the vehicle and direction of travel.

Next, contact your own insurance company immediately. Do not wait. Most policies have time limits for filing a claim, and the sooner you report it, the faster the process can start. Tell the claims representative that the other driver is uninsured. Provide the police report number and any evidence you have, such as photos of the accident scene, damage to both cars, and your injuries. Your insurer will assign an adjuster who will investigate the accident and determine fault. Because the other driver is uninsured, the adjuster will handle the claim under your UM coverage.

Here is the tricky part: your insurance company will treat you like any other claimant. That means they will try to minimize your payout. They will question whether the accident really happened the way you describe. They will scrutinize your medical treatment to see if it was necessary. They may offer you a low settlement early on, hoping you will accept it before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Do not sign anything or accept any offer until you have a clear picture of your medical prognosis and total damages.

You should also know that UM coverage often has a key limitation: it usually does not pay for property damage to your vehicle. If your car is totaled or needs major repairs and you do not have collision coverage, you are on your own. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car regardless of who is at fault, but it comes with a deductible. If you have both collision and UM property damage coverage, make sure you understand which applies first. In some states, your UM property damage coverage will cover your deductible, but not always.

Another common issue is dealing with a hit-and-run driver. If the other driver leaves the scene, you must prove that physical contact occurred between the vehicles. Some insurers require a police report and evidence of damage to support your claim. If there is no contact, such as when a driver swerves and you crash to avoid them, you might not be covered under UM. That is why dash cameras and witness statements are critical.

What about lawsuits against the uninsured driver? You can sue them, but as mentioned, collecting is the problem. Your insurance company has the right to pursue the at-fault driver for what they paid you. This process is called subrogation. If your insurer recovers any money, they will reimburse you first for your deductible and any losses not covered by your policy. But in practice, uninsured drivers rarely have the assets to pay anything significant.

Finally, if you are injured seriously, do not try to handle this alone. A personal injury lawyer who focuses on car accident claims can help you navigate uninsured driver cases. Many offer free consultations and work on contingency, meaning they get paid only if you win. They can negotiate with your insurance company, gather evidence, and fight for a fair settlement. They can also advise you on whether to pursue a claim against the uninsured driver directly.

The bottom line is that uninsured motorist coverage is not optional in most states, but even where it is required, you need to know your policy limits and what it covers. If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, report it immediately, document everything, and never accept a quick lowball offer. Your health and financial recovery depend on how well you protect yourself after the fact.