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Many Montana drivers assume that if they follow basic traffic laws and carry insurance, they will be protected after a crash. Unfortunately, that is not always how things work. When the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage, injured people are often left wondering if they are stuck paying medical bills and repair costs on their own.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, often called UM and UIM, exists to protect you in exactly those situations. At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, we regularly speak with Montana drivers who only learn how important this coverage is after an accident. Our personal injury lawyers have experience helping clients with a variety of car accident scenarios and know how to approach each one with the attention it deserves.
Driving in Montana comes with unique risks. Long stretches of highway, rural roads, and harsh weather increase the chances of serious car accidents. When uninsured drivers are added to the mix, the financial consequences can be overwhelming.
Across the U.S., roughly one in seven drivers is uninsured. That means every time you get behind the wheel, there is a chance the person who hits you may not have any insurance at all. Even drivers who do carry insurance often have only the minimum required limits, which may not come close to covering serious injuries.
When an uninsured or underinsured driver causes a crash, they usually do not have the financial resources to pay out of pocket. Without UM or UIM coverage, injured drivers often have no clear path to recovery.
Montana’s geography plays a role in uninsured driver risk. Long distances between towns mean higher speeds and more severe crashes. Emergency medical care can be far away, increasing medical costs. Rural areas also see higher rates of uninsured drivers due to financial strain and limited enforcement.
These factors combine to make UM and UIM coverage especially important for Montana drivers compared to those in more urban states.
UM and UIM coverage is designed to step in when the at-fault driver cannot fully pay for the harm they caused. While the names sound technical, the idea behind them is simple.
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the driver who caused the crash has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to cover your damages.
In both cases, you are making a claim under your own insurance policy. Your UM or UIM coverage acts as a backup source of compensation when the other driver cannot pay.
UM and UIM coverage can help pay for many of the same losses as a claim against an at-fault driver, including:
In serious accidents, these damages add up quickly. UM and UIM coverage can mean the difference between financial stability and long-term hardship.
Many drivers assume UM and UIM coverage is mandatory. In Montana, the reality is more complicated.
Montana law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. However, drivers are allowed to decline it in writing. This means UM and UIM coverage is not required if the driver signs a waiver.
Because of this, many drivers unknowingly give up valuable protection without fully understanding the consequences.
Insurance forms are often confusing, and UM/UIM coverage may be presented as an optional add-on. Some drivers decline it to lower their premiums, not realizing how little money they are saving compared to the protection they are giving up.
Others believe they will never need it, assuming everyone else on the road has insurance. Unfortunately, many learn the truth only after a serious crash.
Being hit by an uninsured driver can feel like the worst-case scenario. The physical injuries are one problem, but the financial stress often follows close behind.
Without insurance from the at-fault driver, medical providers still expect to be paid. Hospital bills, follow-up care, and physical therapy can pile up quickly. If injuries prevent you from working, lost wages add even more pressure.
Uninsured drivers often have no assets to pursue, which leaves injured people facing difficult choices about their care and finances.
If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, your own policy can step in to cover damages caused by the uninsured driver. Instead of chasing someone who cannot pay, you pursue compensation through your insurer.
However, UM claims are not always straightforward. Insurance companies may question fault, downplay injuries, or argue about coverage limits. This is where understanding your policy and your rights becomes critical.
UM and UIM claims are still insurance claims, and mistakes early on can hurt your case.
After a crash, insurers often ask for recorded statements or quick explanations. While this may seem routine, early statements can be used to challenge your claim later. Once something is said, it cannot be taken back.
It is often better to understand your rights before providing detailed statements, especially when injuries are still developing.
Many drivers do not realize how low their UM or UIM limits are until it is too late. If damages exceed policy limits, the remaining costs may fall on the injured person.
Reviewing your policy and understanding how limits apply can prevent unpleasant surprises during the claims process.
Not every accident requires legal help, but uninsured and underinsured motorist claims often do. These cases involve both injury law and insurance disputes, which can become complicated quickly. You may want to speak with a lawyer if the at-fault driver has no insurance, carries only minimum coverage, or if your own insurer is questioning or limiting your UM or UIM claim.
Legal guidance is especially important when injuries are serious, medical bills are adding up, or the insurance company delays decisions or disputes fault. An experienced Montana car accident lawyer can explain your options, protect your rights, and help you avoid mistakes that could reduce or delay your compensation.
Wall, McLean & Gallagher helps Montana drivers level the playing field when insurance coverage becomes an issue. Our firm reviews insurance policies carefully, explains coverage options in plain language, and works to ensure insurers honor the benefits you paid for.
We assist clients by:
When necessary, we are prepared to pursue insurance disputes to protect our clients’ rights and financial recovery. Our goal is to reduce stress, provide clarity, and help you move forward with confidence after an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver.
If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, or if you are reviewing your coverage and want clear, honest guidance, contact us at (406) 442-1054 to speak with an experienced Montana car accident lawyer at Wall, McLean & Gallagher.
