Being hit by an uninsured driver leaves you with two responsibilities: recover and protect your claim. In this blog, you receive a real-world guide that works under Arizona law—plain steps you can follow today. One quick reality check first: nationwide, approximately 14% of drivers were uninsured in 2022, so this is a problem that isn’t too uncommon.
First, safety, records, and the police report
- Call 911 and get a medical checkup. Adrenaline conceals damage and allows a medical team to document everything.
- Wait and exchange details. Arizona law requires that drivers share their name, address, car registration, and produce their driver’s license upon demand. Get the plate number if the other driver refuses.
- Call a police officer to the scene if there is injury or serious damage. Officers must file a written crash report if there is injury, death, a ticket issued, or over $2,000 worth of property damaged. That is key evidence for your case.
- Keep the momentum: get pictures of vehicles, intersections, debris, skid marks, and insurance cards; obtain witnesses’ names and numbers.
- Consult a lawyer: Get prompt assistance from a local, reliable car accident lawyer in Phoenix to increase your chances of receiving compensation for the accident.
Check your own policy: where your recovery might start
Arizona requires a liability limit of 25/50/15, but does not require uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. You should be provided UM/UIM in writing; if you bought it, it will be listed on your declarations page. With UM, your bodily injury will be paid for when the person at fault has no liability coverage.
Review your declarations page for the following coverages: UM, UIM, and MedPay (medical payments). MedPay covers copays and deductibles regardless of fault.
Step-by-step plan for an uninsured driver in a Phoenix wreck
1) Get medical care within 24–48 hours
Follow-up visits to create a continuing record of complaints and treatment. Lack of continued treatment is the insurer’s red flag.
2) Notify your insurer promptly
Open a claim against UM (and MedPay, if applicable). Ask for the claims number in writing and a copy of the police report as soon as possible. (Arizona law has some time limits on UM/UIM claims.)
3) Construct your file
Keep bills, EOBs (explanation of benefits), repair estimates, time-off records, and a record of the therapy you’ve undergone to keep yourself safe from complications down the line. Little things matter in settlement negotiations.
4) Verify the other driver’s status
The crash report usually states whether the other driver had car insurance. If it says “no proof” or “no insurance,” provide your adjuster with that page.
5) Watch the legal clocks
Personal injury lawsuits: usually 2 years from the injury date.
- UM/UIM claims: Arizona has 3 years to give written notice of a UM or UIM claim to your company, with additional deadlines to seek arbitration or file suit if a settlement is not reached. Failure to do so can exclude benefits. Consult A.R.S. § 12-555 or speak with an auto accident attorney.
- Unless you have UM, you still can recover from the at-fault driver personally, but collection is often difficult. Your car accident attorney can also look at liens, restitution in ancillary criminal cases, or other insurance that might come into effect.
Why local assistance counts
Claims against your own insurer can feel awkward. Yet UM claims are adversarial once the company is paying benefits. A Phoenix auto accident lawyer who handles UM/UIM cases can navigate you past deadline traps, negotiate medical records, and estimate future treatment—especially if symptoms flare weeks later.
What to bring to your consultation
Take your declarations page, crash report number, photos, medical reports, and any messages from the adjuster with you. This enables your attorney to check whether or not you have uninsured driver Phoenix coverage and chart the next step to take immediately.Uninsured collisions are infuriating, but Arizona gives you tools, UM coverage, MedPay, and reporting rules to stabilize the collision. Go through the steps mentioned above, observe the deadlines, and obtain customized legal advice before signing. Call car accident lawyer, Geoff Trachtenbergnow, to talk about your choices and protect your claim timeline.