Austin Underinsured/Uninsured Driver Accident Lawyer
Last updated on March 17, 2026
While it is the law to maintain some amount of insurance on your car as a driver in Texas, that does not mean everyone on the road has insurance, or enough insurance, to cover an accident. One of the greatest challenges to your recovery after an accident is getting your bills covered. If the liable party can’t afford it, what can you do?
I’m here to help you. My name is Matthew Shrum, and I am a car accident attorney for people all over Austin and the surrounding counties. I know that you’re in one of the most devastating physical and financial situations you can be in, but it’s my aim to help you find the right path forward for your recovery. One fact you can’t forget: insurance coverage makes a major impact on motor vehicle accident lawsuits.
Understanding The Underinsured/Uninsured Accident Recovery Process
In the event that a driver who hits you cannot cover the damages because of inadequate insurance coverage – or if they flee the scene – you must act quickly. Immediately after the accident, if you can, you must get the name, vehicle information and any available insurance information. You should get the contact information for the driver and any witnesses, such as passengers. If you are able to take photos of the scene and the damage to your vehicle, that will be helpful.
If you are seriously injured, however, you may not be in a position to gather this evidence. Do the best you can under the circumstances, but prioritize your safety and medical needs. In many cases, the evidence can be found later.
You must also file a police report, as you would with any other type of serious car accident. However, the police report will also alert the police to the uninsured motorist, and they may take action to hold that driver accountable criminally. Once you’ve collected what information you can and filed the police report, you’ve done what you can to prepare for what comes next.
Filing An Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Claim
The next step is likely going to feel somewhat uncomfortable for you, as you will have to file a claim against your own insurance company. Most standard policies do have some coverage for underinsured/uninsured motorists.
This claim will be limited. Unfortunately, most underinsured/uninsured motorist claims only cover a comparatively small amount of the cost of recovering from your injuries. Once you reach your uninsured/underinsured driver policy’s limit, you will likely have to pursue the liable motorist personally for any hope of significant compensation.
Is It Worth Suing An Uninsured Driver?
The crux of an uninsured motorist case is that they did not have coverage for their car (or fled the scene of an accident). There are a few scenarios in which this can happen: one is a lapsed policy. Either through inattention or billing errors, a policy can lapse and a person can not realize it until it is too late. In these cases, there is a strong likelihood that this person may have other resources to pursue for your accident.
However, the vast majority of people who do not carry car insurance are doing so because they cannot afford the premiums. If a person cannot afford the premium, they likely won’t have the assets to cover a large part of your medical bills.
Get Honest, Clear Information About Your Case In A Free Consultation
The hard part about underinsured/uninsured driver cases is that even the best-case scenarios are still struggles. And even in your claim to your insurer, you may be surprised by how much you will have to fight to get the compensation and payment that is available for you.
My goal as your attorney is to work as hard as I can to get you what you deserve. I’ll be honest with you about your chances and the overall outlook of your case, but I’ll put you first every time. To learn more about how I can help you, call my office at 512-994-0313 for a free consultation. You can also send me an email using this online form.