Phoenix UM/UIM Accident Lawyers
Were You Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
Auto accident claims can be a frustration, but the problems and complications will only escalate if you were hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages they caused. Insurance company estimates show that roughly 12% of drivers in Arizona, year over year, are uninsured. If you are hit by a negligent driver, there is an unfortunately significant chance that they won’t have any insurance at all, and an even higher chance that they will have insurance but not enough.
At that point, you will likely have to deal with an uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claim, so you’ll want a legal team that is familiar with these particular types of cases. Make MayesTelles PLLC in Phoenix your first choice of legal counsel for any UM or UIM accident claim.
Why do so many people choose MayesTelles PLLC first?
- We have almost 200 years of combined practice experience.
- We have former prosecutors on our team – we know both sides of a case.
- We have attorneys who are AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®.
- We have handled thousands of cases across a long history of success.
Contact our firm online or dial (602) 428-7104. We are available 24/7.
Arizona Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Limits
Each state has different auto insurance minimum coverage amounts that a licensed driver must carry to legally operate a motor vehicle on public roads. This insurance minimum applies to all sorts of motorized vehicles, too, like trucks and motorcycles, not just cars.
In Arizona, the minimum liability auto insurance coverage required by the state is:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in an accident caused by the driver of the insured vehicle (policyholder).
- $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of more than one person in an accident caused by the driver of the insured vehicle (policyholder).
- $15,000 for property damage per accident caused by the driver of the insured vehicle (policyholder).
According to recent data from the National Safety Council (NCS), the average economic cost suffered by someone who is injured in a motor vehicle accident is $40,000, which considers medical costs, lost wages, vehicle repairs, etc. The average cost increases to $155,000 for injuries that cause a lasting disability and $1,778,000 for accidents that cause a fatality. With these average costs per accident in mind, it becomes clear that carrying only the minimum insurance required by Arizona law might not be enough.
Not sure if you have the right amount of auto insurance? You can call your auto insurance provider to learn about your coverage details and if you should make any changes. Based on your insurance provider and driving history, you might be able to get improved UM/UIM insurance coverage for as little as $136 a year, based on averages calculated by Forbes Advisor.
What is an Uninsured Driver?
A driver is uninsured if they do not have any auto insurance but still drives on public roads. If an uninsured driver or uninsured motorist (UM) causes an accident, then it will be more difficult for the injured party to get compensation from that driver, if not impossible.
Hit-and-Run Drivers & Insurance Claims
When a driver commits a hit-and-run and is never identified, it might be possible to argue that the driver is “uninsured.” The reasoning is that a driver who is never identified provides the same amount of insurance coverage as a driver with no insurance at all.
What is an Underinsured Driver?
A driver is underinsured if they have auto insurance coverage but not enough to cover all the damages that they cause in a car accident. If an underinsured driver or underinsured motorist (UIM) causes a crash, then it will be more challenging for the injured party to get full compensation from that driver. Multiple insurance policies might need to be considered by the plaintiff’s attorneys, depending on the situation.
What is UM/UIM Insurance Coverage?
UM/UIM insurance coverage is sold by auto insurance companies to cover damages incurred in accidents that are caused by or involve an uninsured driver, an underinsured motorist, or a hit-and-run driver. It is recommended that all drivers carry UM/UIM insurance coverage because it might be the only way to collect damages after certain accidents.
A typical UM/UIM insurance policy can provide damages that help pay for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages or income
- Pain and suffering
- Property replacement (usually an upgrade option)
What is a First-Party Insurance Claim?
Keep in mind that UM/UIM insurance is a policy that pays you for damages, not the uninsured or underinsured driver who hit you. This type of insurance claim is called a first-party insurance claim. To use your UM/UIM insurance policy, you technically file against your own auto insurance provider, not the auto insurance company of another driver.
The nature of a first-party insurance claim can cause a headache if your claim is denied, delayed, or undervalued because the auto insurance company that you pay each month is the party opposing you. Before you start an uninsured insurance claim, you should talk with an attorney to find out what to do.
Our Phoenix UM/UIM accident attorneys can help with all parts of your claim, including:
- Reviewing your insurance policy for coverage eligibility and limits.
- Investigating the accident to look for proof of liability.
- Consulting medical experts to get more information about the extent of your injuries.
- Preparing a UM/UIM claim to file with your auto insurance policy.
- Responding to inquiries for more information or denials.
- Taking your case to court and trial if necessary.
Contact Us Now – We’re Available 24/7/365
MayesTelles PLLC and our Phoenix UM/UIM accident attorneys are standing by to help you after you were in an accident caused by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance coverage. You could have various options to seek compensation, even though the driver’s insurance won’t take care of you. Let’s explore those options together today, so you can be sure that you’re making the best choices.
Thanks to our 24/7 availability, you can call (602) 428-7104 whenever you need us!
We've Won Thousands of Cases
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Charges Reduced to Reckless Driving
Client R.C. was stopped by Mesa Police for a civil traffic violation and later charged with DUI, Extreme DUI, and Super Extreme DUI in a justice court. During the course of their representation, MayesTelles attorneys discovered important inconsistencies in the police reports. When we presented these issues to the State, the prosecutor’s office agreed to drop all DUI charges.
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Fatal Commercial Vehicle Accident
MayesTelles Client A.F. and her husband tragically lost their unborn child as a result of the negligence of an individual operating a commercial vehicle in Yuma, Arizona. After substantial investigation including accident reconstruction and filing a lawsuit, the insurance company paid out the policy limits of $1,000,000.00.
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4 Counts of Aggravated DUI Dismissed
Client M.W. was charged with 4 counts of Aggravated DUI in the Maricopa County Superior Court in July 2016 for allegedly riding a motorized bicycle under the influence. The attorneys at MayesTelles demanded that the State include certain materials in their presentation to the grand jury, resulting in the grand jury refusing to indict and the case being dismissed.
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Client Charged with DUI
Client, GS, charged with DUI - sentence was reduced to reckless driving.
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Client Facing Assault Felony
M.L. was charged with 1 count of Aggravated Assault, a class 3 dangerous felony. She plead guilty to Aggravated Assault, a class 6 undesignated felony, with a stipulation to 3 months of initial jail. She received credit for 32 days and the rest of the jail time was deferred. She was placed on 3 years of supervised probation. She has the opportunity to designate the offense a misdemeanor after successfully completing probation. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
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Client Charged with DUI
Our client, A.R, was charged with 1 count of DUI and 1 count of Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision. During extensive pre-trial investigation, it was discovered that the police made many errors in how they handled the case. We were able to get the client's charges reduced to reckless driving. Location: Glendale City Court
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Client Charged with Four Felony Counts
Our client, Ms. D., was charged with two counts of forgery - a class 4 Felony as well as theft - a class 2 Felony and also fraudulent schemes and artifices - a class 2 Felony. We were able to get her conviction reduced to a class 6 undesignated felony with the opportunity to reduce further to a misdemeanor. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
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Client Charged with Trespass & Assault
Our client, T.C., was charged in Maricopa County Superior Court on July 8, 2015 with 1 count of Criminal Trespass, a class 6 felony, and 1 count Assault, a class 2 Misdemeanor. On September 9, 2015, after an 8-day jury trial, our client was found not guilty on both charges. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
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Client Charged with Shoplifting
Our client, Ms. H., was charged with shoplifting - a class 1 misdemeanor. We were able to get her conviction set aside. Location: Phoenix Municipal Court
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Client Faced 5 Felony Sex Offenses
Our client, Mr. C., was charged with five counts of felony sex offenses, including two counts of Sex Conduct with a Minor and three counts of Molestation of a Child. We were able to get the case dismissed upon a successful Motion to Dismiss. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
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Client Charged with Disorderly Conduct
Our client, K.F., was charged with Disorderly Conduct, a class 1 misdemeanor. We were able to get this client's case dismissed. Location: Tempe Municipal Court
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Client Facing Multiple Criminal Charges
Our client, L.S., was charged on October 20, 2014 in Mesa for an assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage. MayesTelles PLLC was able to get those charges dismissed.
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Client Facing Multiple Domestic Violence Offenses
Our client, Ms. C., was facing charges of assault / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor), disorderly conduct / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor), and criminal damage / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor). We were able to get our client's case dismissed. Location: Mesa Municipal Court
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Charged with Assault & Failure to Appear
Our client, L.S., was charged in Phoenix on December 27, 2014 for assault and failure to appear. After completing diversion, our client's case was dismissed.
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Multiple Felony Theft Offenses
Our client, Mr. C., was charged with Theft of Means of Transportation (Class 3 Felony) and Trafficking in Stolen Property (Class 3 Felony). Both class 3 felonies have a possible sentencing range of 2 - 8.75 years in prison. We were able to get our client's charge reduced to a Class 1 Misdemeanor with no jail time. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
Why Choose MayesTelles PLLC?
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Nearly 200 Years of Combined Experience
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Thousands of Cases Successfully Handled
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Voted Top 100 Trial Lawyers
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Available to Our Clients 24/7
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Former Prosecutors & Law Enforcement
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AV Preeminent Rated Attorneys