Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists

You pay your insurance premiums. You keep your car in good shape. You drive defensively.

But then someone slams into you out of nowhere – and they don't even carry insurance. Or they carry the bare minimum, and it doesn't come close to covering what your injuries are worth. You're left with mounting bills, lost time at work, and a life that doesn't feel anything like it used to. And that's just the start.

Uninsured and underinsured motorists aren't rare despite all the rules requiring coverage. When you're hit by someone who can't or won't pay for the harm they caused, you need more than just insurance.

You need someone ready to fight for everything you're owed. A Chicago car accident lawyer from Abels & Annes, P.C. will do precisely that.

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Why Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Doesn't Guarantee Fair Compensation

You'd think driving without insurance would be a quick ticket to a hefty fine or even jail. Sometimes it is.

But more often, the drivers who lack insurance also have little to lose. They might lack the income to buy insurance, have a suspended license, or simply gamble that nothing bad will happen.

And when something does happen, they vanish or freeze, and you're stuck with the consequences.

Even if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage through your own insurance, your carrier won't exactly treat you like royalty when you file a claim. They may delay, downplay your injuries, or try to lowball you. And the more severe your injuries are, the harder they'll fight to limit the payout. 

That's where a car accident attorney steps in – to keep your insurance company honest and to uncover other ways to recover what you deserve.

The Lack of Coverage Doesn't Mean the End of Your Claim

Many people assume that if the driver who hit them didn't carry insurance, their chance of getting paid just disappeared. That's not how it works. It just means you need a lawyer to dig deeper – and smarter.

You're not out of options. You just need the right strategy.

A car accident lawyer from Abels & Annes, P.C. will craft one that fits your case and pushes back hard when someone tries to walk away from the damage they caused.

One route might involve your policy's uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits. That's the coverage you've already paid for in case someone without enough coverage – or with none at all — hits you.

Again, however, don't expect your insurer to roll out the red carpet. They'll behave just like the other guy's insurance company would have: skeptical, strategic, and trying to pay the lowest amount possible.

That's why you'll want a lawyer in your corner who won't let your carrier turn your recovery into a one-sided negotiation.

Creative Legal Strategies When the Other Driver Can't Pay

What happens when the at-fault driver doesn't have enough insurance – and also doesn't have any real assets to pursue?

You might think there's no way to collect, but a smart car accident lawyer can find paths others miss. Maybe the driver borrowed the car from someone who negligently allowed them behind the wheel. Maybe a mechanic recently worked on the car and failed to fix something critical. Maybe the car had a dangerous defect that contributed to the crash.

A skilled attorney will dig deep into the circumstances surrounding the accident. If there's a chance to file a claim against a third party – like a vehicle manufacturer, repair shop, or even a commercial employer who owned the vehicle – your lawyer will spot it and act fast.

These aren't long shots when the facts support them. They're legitimate avenues to compensation that insurance companies won't bring up, and most people won't consider pursuing them on their own.

Another possibility? A dram shop case. Suppose the at-fault driver was intoxicated and served at a bar or restaurant before the crash. In that case, Illinois law allows you to file a claim against that establishment in certain situations. Most car accident victims never consider this angle, but an attorney committed to digging beneath the surface will uncover it.

What Happens When Your Insurance Company Isn't on Your Side

You'd think your insurer will have your back after a wreck, especially when going through your own UM or UIM policy.

But once you file that claim, you're no longer just their customer – you've become their opponent in a financial dispute.

You're asking them to pay, and they're evaluating how little they can get away with offering. They may question whether the other driver was truly uninsured. They may challenge the extent of your injuries. They may delay everything until you're so fed up you'll accept less just to move on.

A car accident lawyer from Abels & Annes, P.C. won't let that happen. We'll step in and handle the entire communication process with your insurer. 

We'll gather medical records, interview witnesses, consult with professionals when needed, and build a rock-solid case that pressures your insurance company to pay fairly – and fast. And if they refuse to be reasonable, we'll take them to court.

You've already paid for this coverage. You're not asking for a handout. You're asking the insurer to honor the deal you made. We'll make sure they do.

When It's Not Just About Medical Bills

Insurance companies love to talk about your hospital bills. What they don't talk about are the ripple effects of the accident – the career you had to put on pause, the pain you still wake up with every day, the plans you had to cancel, the family who's now worried sick about you. Those things don't come with an invoice, but they matter just as much. And they deserve compensation.

Pain and suffering, lost future earnings, emotional distress – these are all damages a car accident lawyer will demand when filing your claim.

We won't stop at your ER bill. We'll look at how the crash changed your life, not just how it bruised your body. We'll work with medical professionals and vocational experts to paint a full picture of what you've lost – and what it will take to get you whole again.

You're Not Just a Case File—You're a Person Who Deserves to Be Heard

One of the most frustrating parts of dealing with insurance companies is how impersonal it all feels. You become a claim number. They plug your injuries into a formula and spit out a settlement offer that has nothing to do with your life.

But when you work with Abels & Annes, P.C., we won't treat you like data. We'll listen to your story, understand your goals, and treat you like the human being you are.

We believe in clear communication. You'll get honest answers, real updates, and the kind of transparency that makes it easier to trust the process. You won't be left wondering what's happening with your case or what comes next. We're here to answer every question – and we'll never rush you off the phone.

Why Timing Matters More Than You Think

Time is one of the most valuable assets in a claim involving an uninsured or underinsured driver. Witnesses forget. Records get lost. Evidence disappears. And if your insurance policy requires certain actions within a specific time frame, waiting too long can cost you your right to collect at all.

Your Abels & Annes, P.C. car accident lawyer won't just keep an eye on deadlines – we'll act quickly to preserve every scrap of evidence that can help your case.

Whether it's surveillance footage from a nearby business, traffic cam recordings, or phone records that might show distracted driving, we'll make sure nothing slips through the cracks. When you call sooner rather than later, you give your attorney the strongest possible foundation to build your case.

When the System Fails, You Still Have Options

Let's say you've hit every wall – exhausted the at-fault driver's insurance, maxed out your UM/UIM policy, and found no viable third-party claims. Are you out of options? Not quite. When traditional avenues run dry, your attorney can still dig deeper.

Pursuing a Personal Judgment

In rare cases, your car accident attorney might explore the possibility of securing a personal judgment against the driver. That means even if they don't have assets now, they might later – and your judgment can still be waiting.

Judgments can remain enforceable for years, sometimes even decades, depending on the jurisdiction. If the driver's financial situation changes, you might finally have a path to collect what you're owed.

Exploring Alternative Recovery Options

Your lawyer may also investigate structured settlements or payment plans that accommodate the driver's current financial situation. In some cases, income garnishment may even be an option.

None of these routes is fast or easy, but they can yield results over time. It's about persistence and long-term value—recovering something instead of walking away with nothing.

You shouldn't have to carry the financial weight of someone else's reckless behavior. And just because the system didn't deliver a clean resolution doesn't mean your fight ends here. Your attorney won't give up just because the road got harder.

Why the Attorney You Choose Makes All the Difference

Some lawyers focus on volume. They settle cases fast and move on. That's not how we do things at Abels & Annes, P.C.

We take on fewer cases so we can give each one our full attention. We care about your outcome because your life matters. We want you to walk away feeling like you got justice – not just a check.

When you choose a car accident lawyer who truly listens, who's willing to challenge insurance companies, and who knows how to think creatively when compensation seems out of reach, you don't just get legal help – you get peace of mind.

We'll be your voice when it feels like no one else is listening. And we'll fight for the result you deserve, not the one the insurance company is trying to push on you.

The Emotional Toll Deserves Legal Recognition

A car accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist doesn't just hurt your body – it can chip away at your sense of control. It's hard enough to suffer injuries. It's even harder when the person who hit you can't or won't take financial responsibility. You're left picking up the pieces, feeling powerless in a system that wasn't built with you in mind.

But you're not powerless. With the right car accident attorney, you can take that power back. Your emotional suffering, your daily struggle, and your loss of joy – all of it counts.

We'll ensure your claim reflects the full impact of this crash on your life. You deserve more than just to be patched up and sent on your way. You deserve justice.

You Don't Have to Settle for Less Than You Deserve

Every day, injured drivers accept settlements that barely scratch the surface of what they've lost. Not because they want to – but because they don't know there's more out there.

When you work with a car accident lawyer from Abels & Annes, P.C., you'll understand your options. You'll know the difference between a fast check and a fair result – and you won't be pressured into a decision that benefits the insurer more than it benefits you.

You only get one shot at this. One chance to recover what you've lost and protect your future. Don't let that slip away because the other driver didn't carry insurance. We'll help you turn an impossible situation into a manageable one – and we'll be with you every step of the way.

Let's Talk About What Comes Next

If you've been hit by someone without insurance – or with too little of it – you probably feel like the deck's stacked against you. You're hurting, stressed, and tired of being told there's nothing more anyone can do. But that's not true.

You have options, and you have rights. You just need someone who knows how to bring them to life.

Reach out to Abels & Annes, P.C. by contacting us online or giving us a call at (312) 924-7575. We'll listen. We'll advise. And we'll fight to make sure you get the recovery you need to move forward.

Schedule a FREE Initial CONSULTATION

Abels & Annes, P.C. - Chicago Office

Address: 100 N La Salle St Ste 1710
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 924-7575