Personal Injury
Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claims
Plain-English guidance and representation for uninsured and underinsured motorist claims in Puerto Rico and California.
When an at-fault driver has no insurance—or not enough insurance—the injured person's own policy may become an important source of recovery. These claims are still contested insurance matters, even though the insurer accepting the claim may be your own.
Personal injury representation is available in Puerto Rico. California matters are evaluated case by case; federal-court participation is through pro hac vice admission with local counsel where required. Laws, deadlines, insurance requirements, and available compensation vary by jurisdiction and facts.
What UM and UIM Mean
Uninsured motorist coverage may apply when the responsible driver lacks applicable liability insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when that driver's limits are insufficient to address the covered loss. The policy language, available limits, offsets, and jurisdiction control.
Why Coverage Review Matters
A complete review may involve liability policies, UM/UIM protection, MedPay, passenger coverage, household policies, employer or business coverage, and other potentially applicable insurance. Multiple claimants or policies can further complicate the analysis.
Evidence Still Matters
A UM/UIM claim generally requires proof of the other driver's responsibility and proof of the injuries and damages. Collision evidence, medical documentation, income records, and the policy terms all remain important.
Policy and Jurisdiction Differences
Insurance requirements, definitions, deadlines, procedures, and available compensation vary by jurisdiction and policy. We review the actual coverage and facts rather than applying a one-size-fits-all rule.
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Talk With Our Team
If you were injured in Puerto Rico or California, contact Vélez Law Group to discuss the circumstances.
Personal injury matters are offered on a contingency-fee basis: no attorney fee is owed unless the firm obtains a recovery. Case costs and expenses are governed by the written representation agreement and may be treated differently.