Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Houston?
It happens every single day in Houston: someone crashes into you, you're hurt — and the driver has no insurance. Don't assume you're out of luck. Your own policy may include coverage that pays, and we know how to collect it. Free consultation: no fee unless we win.
The other driver has no insurance. That doesn't mean you lose
On Houston's streets and freeways — from the East End to Gulfton, from Magnolia Park to Pasadena — many drivers carry no insurance at all, or a policy so small it won't even cover the ambulance ride. If one of them hit you, here's the hard truth: trying to collect directly from that person almost never works. The good news: you are probably not stuck. Your own auto policy may include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which exists for exactly this moment. Many people have it without knowing — in Texas, as a general rule, insurers must offer it, and it only drops out of your policy if it was rejected in writing.
Now the trap that catches almost everyone off guard: when you file a UM/UIM claim, your own insurance company becomes your adversary. Even after years of on-time payments, it evaluates your claim the way the other driver's insurer would — looking for reasons to pay less. So treat a UM/UIM claim like a fight, not a favor. Don't give recorded statements or sign anything before getting legal advice, don't accept a quick first offer, and put your health first — medical care is the most urgent step and also the foundation of your claim. The same goes if the driver fled the scene: hit-and-run crashes often qualify under UM coverage, and the Houston Police Department crash report becomes key evidence.
And something we tell every client: your immigration status doesn't matter. In Texas you have the same right to compensation whether you are a citizen, a resident, or undocumented — and as a general rule, your status isn't even admissible in the case. Visit our main Houston car accident page, or read our guide on what to do if you were hit by an uninsured driver.
Free consultation — review my case
5 steps to collect your UM/UIM coverage
01. Free consultation and review of YOUR policy
We read your policy line by line to find the UM/UIM, PIP, or MedPay coverage you already paid for — many people have more protection than they realize. It costs you nothing to find out where you stand.
02. Report and evidence
We secure the police report, photos, witnesses, video, and medical records before they disappear. In a case against your own insurer, evidence is your strongest weapon.
03. A properly filed UM/UIM claim
We prepare and submit your claim with complete documentation and your policy's notice requirements in order, so the insurance company has no technical excuse to deny you.
04. Negotiation with your insurer
Your insurer negotiates like an adversary — so do we. We answer their tactics, reject lowball offers, and force them to take your claim seriously, at the table or, if necessary, beyond it.
05. Fair compensation
We fight for compensation that reflects your medical bills, lost wages, and your pain — not the number that suits the insurance company. Every case is different, but the goal is always what's fair for you.
Questions about uninsured drivers
Time works against you: evidence disappears fast and legal deadlines do exist, so act quickly and have your case reviewed. If you were hit as a pedestrian, see our Houston pedestrian accident page — and if you're wondering how large your claim could be, read how much a car accident case is worth in Houston.
The driver who hit me has no insurance. Do I have any options?
Yes, very often you do. The most common path is the UM/UIM coverage on your own auto policy, which exists precisely for this situation. We also look at other routes: whether the driver was in a work vehicle, whether another person or business shares responsibility, and whether other coverages on your policy (like PIP or MedPay) can help with medical bills. Every case is different — in a free consultation we map out which options you actually have.
What exactly is UM/UIM coverage?
UM/UIM stands for Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage. It is protection built into YOUR own auto policy that can pay your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance — or not enough. In Texas, as a general rule, insurers must offer this coverage when they sell a policy, and it is only excluded if it was rejected in writing. Many people have it and don't even know.
It was a hit-and-run. Can I still file a claim?
Often, yes. Hit-and-run crashes frequently qualify under the UM coverage on your own policy, treated as if the at-fault driver had no insurance. The key steps: report the crash to the police as soon as possible — the Houston Police Department report becomes a critical piece of evidence — and get medical care right away. From there, we review your policy and build the claim.
Will my insurance company punish me for using my UM coverage?
This is one of the most common worries we hear. Generally speaking, using coverage you paid for after a crash that was not your fault should not be treated the same as causing an accident, and Texas law gives policyholders protections. Every policy and situation is different, so it is worth reviewing yours with a lawyer. But here is the plain truth: this coverage exists to be used. You paid for it for exactly a moment like this.
I'm undocumented. Can I still file a claim like anyone else?
Yes. In Texas, your immigration status does not take away your right to seek compensation after an accident, including UM/UIM claims under your own policy. As a general rule, your status is not even admissible in these cases. You do not need a Social Security number to make a claim, and our office handles your case in English or Spanish, in full confidence.