The Crash Team | February 11, 2026 | Car Accidents

Getting hit by another driver is stressful enough. Finding out they do not have insurance can make it feel like the ground drops out from under you. Suddenly, you are dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, time off work, and medical bills, and the person who caused the crash may have no coverage to pay for any of it. In Texas, uninsured motorist accidents are more common than many people realize, especially in high-traffic areas around Houston and Sugar Land. The good news is that you still have options. The key is knowing what steps to take early, and how to protect your rights before an insurance company starts looking for reasons to deny or reduce your claim.

Car crash by uninsured motorist.

Have you been injured by an uninsured motorist in Sugar Land, TX? Reach out to a car accident lawyer at The Crash Team today. We are available 24/7 at 713-300-0000; you can also contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Protect Your Safety and Create a Clean Record at the Scene

When the other driver is uninsured, the crash scene matters even more. You are not just documenting the accident for their insurance company; you are building proof for your own claim. That may include an uninsured motorist (UM) claim through your own policy, a personal injury claim, or both.

Start with the basics: call 911, request police, and get medical attention. Even if you feel “mostly fine,” many injuries show up later (especially soft tissue injuries, concussions, and back injuries). If you leave the scene without a report, the insurance company can later argue that the crash was minor, or that your injuries were not related. Learn more about the dos and don’ts of a car accident in Texas.

While you are waiting for police, gather evidence. Take photos from multiple angles, including the damage, the road, skid marks, traffic lights, and the position of the vehicles. If there are witnesses, get names and phone numbers.

One important note: do not argue with the uninsured driver. People without insurance are often scared and unpredictable. Stay calm, keep it professional, and focus on documenting what happened.

Get the Right Information, Even If They Have No Insurance

A driver without insurance still has a legal identity, a driver’s license, and a vehicle. That information matters. Even if they cannot provide insurance details, you still need to document who they are, what they were driving, and how the crash happened.

Try to collect:

  • Driver’s full name, phone number, and address
  • Driver’s license number and state
  • License plate number
  • Vehicle make, model, and color
  • Photos of the driver, the vehicle, and the plate (if safe)
  • The responding officer’s name and badge number
  • The crash report number

If the driver claims they have insurance but “forgot the card,” do not take their word for it. Let the police handle it. In Texas, driving without insurance is illegal, and officers can verify coverage. If the driver lies and you fail to document the scene properly, it can create delays and disputes later.

Also, if the driver flees the scene, you may still have a claim. A hit-and-run can qualify as an uninsured motorist situation under many policies, but you need to report it quickly and document everything.

Understand Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Texas (and Why It Is Not Automatic)

Uninsured motorist coverage, usually called UM/UIM, is one of the most important protections Texas drivers can carry. It helps cover your damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance (UM) or not enough insurance (UIM).

Here is the part many people do not realize: in Texas, insurance companies must offer UM/UIM coverage, but you can reject it in writing. That means not everyone has it, even if they assume they do. You may have to check your policy or ask your agent.

If you do have UM coverage, it may help pay for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Vehicle damage (depending on your policy)
  • Future medical care in serious injury cases

UM claims can be extremely valuable, but they are not always easy. Even though it is your own insurance company, they often treat the claim like an adversarial case. Adjusters may question your injuries, argue fault, or request extensive documentation.

A natural digression worth mentioning here: UM coverage is one of the few times you can pay premiums for years, then get treated like a stranger when you finally need help. It is frustrating, but it is also common.

File the Right Reports Quickly (Because Delays Can Hurt You)

Time is not your friend after an uninsured motorist crash. The longer you wait, the more likely it becomes that evidence disappears, witnesses become hard to locate, and insurers start questioning the legitimacy of the claim.

In Texas, you should report the accident:

  1. To law enforcement (immediately or as soon as possible)
  2. To your own insurance company (promptly)
  3. To your medical providers (accurately and consistently)

Most UM policies include notice requirements, meaning you must notify your insurer within a reasonable time. If you delay too long, the insurer may argue that you violated the policy terms, which can become a technical excuse to deny coverage.

Also, Texas has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. That sounds like a long time, but uninsured motorist claims often involve extra steps and extra resistance, so waiting can backfire.

Here are common reasons uninsured motorist cases get delayed:

  • The crash report takes time to finalize
  • The insurance company demands repeated documentation
  • Medical treatment takes months to stabilize
  • Liability is disputed (even when it should not be)
  • The insurer argues your injuries were pre-existing

The earlier you involve a qualified attorney, the faster the process usually becomes.

Get Medical Care Immediately, and Do Not Minimize Your Symptoms

Injury cases are not just about being hurt. They are about proving you were hurt, proving the crash caused it, and proving what it cost you. That requires medical documentation.

After an uninsured motorist crash, it is common for people to hesitate about treatment. They worry about costs, they do not want to miss work, or they assume the pain will go away. Unfortunately, waiting can hurt both your health and your claim.

If you have symptoms, get checked out. This is especially important for:

  • Head injuries and concussions
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Shoulder, knee, and hip injuries
  • Numbness, tingling, or weakness
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Abdominal pain (which can signal internal injuries)

Be honest and specific with medical providers. If you tell a doctor you are “fine” and later claim serious pain, the insurance company will use that inconsistency against you.

One more practical tip: follow through with your treatment plan. Gaps in treatment are one of the most common reasons insurers devalue claims, even when the injury is legitimate.

Know the Difference Between a UM Claim and Suing the Uninsured Driver

When you are hit by an uninsured driver, there are usually two legal routes: filing a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage, or filing a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver.

The problem is simple: many uninsured drivers do not have money. Even if you win a lawsuit, collecting the judgment can be difficult. That is why UM coverage often becomes the most practical path to compensation.

Here is a straightforward comparison:

Uninsured Motorist Claim (UM)

A UM claim is typically faster and more financially realistic. Your insurer may still fight you, but there is usually a policy limit available, which means there is money to pay the claim if liability and damages are proven. 

Lawsuit Against the Uninsured Driver

Suing the driver can make sense in certain cases, especially if they have assets, were driving for work, or were involved in extreme negligence. However, lawsuits take longer, cost more to pursue, and may result in an uncollectible judgment.

In many cases, an experienced attorney will investigate whether there are other liable parties. For example, if the uninsured driver was driving a company vehicle, a business may be responsible. If the crash involved a rideshare driver, coverage rules can get more complex. These details matter, and they are easy to miss without legal help.

What Not to Do: Common Mistakes That Can Reduce Your Compensation

Uninsured motorist cases have a different kind of risk. Since you are dealing with your own insurer, many people assume the process will be smooth. That assumption can lead to mistakes that damage the claim.

Here are some of the biggest ones:

  • Giving a recorded statement without legal advice
  • Accepting a quick settlement before treatment is complete
  • Posting about the crash or injuries on social media
  • Skipping medical appointments or delaying treatment
  • Letting the insurer pressure you into “just signing paperwork”
  • Failing to document lost wages and time missed from work
  • Assuming the police report alone is enough evidence

Insurance companies often request a recorded statement early. They may frame it as routine, but it is often used to lock you into details before you fully understand your injuries. If you say something inaccurate, even unintentionally, it can be used to reduce your payout.

Also, be cautious about repair estimates and vehicle damage claims. If your car is totaled, you may be entitled to fair market value, not just the number the insurer offers first. That negotiation is part of the process, and it should not be rushed.

How The Crash Team Builds Uninsured Motorist Cases (Consultation to Litigation)

A strong uninsured motorist case is built like any serious injury case: evidence first, then leverage. The Crash Team approaches these cases with the same litigation mindset we use in truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and catastrophic injury claims.

The process usually starts with a free consultation. We review the crash details, your injuries, your insurance policy, and any early red flags (such as disputed fault or missing evidence).

Next comes investigation. This may include obtaining the crash report, identifying witnesses, requesting video footage, reviewing medical records, and confirming whether the at-fault driver truly had no insurance. We also evaluate whether other parties may share responsibility, such as employers, vehicle owners, or commercial policies.

Then comes negotiation. We prepare a demand package that clearly lays out liability, damages, and the value of the claim. If the insurance company responds with delay tactics or low offers, we push back with documented proof, not vague arguments.

If necessary, we move toward litigation. Some UM claims require filing suit to force the insurer to take the case seriously. Many firms hesitate here; The Crash Team does not. Our attorneys, Aaron Galvan and Breanne Galvan, have serious litigation experience, and that matters when the insurer refuses to play fair.

Get Help Collecting What You Are Owed: Call The Crash Team After an Uninsured Motorist Crash

If you were hit by an uninsured motorist in Texas, you do not have to accept the financial burden as “just bad luck.” You may have uninsured motorist coverage, other policy benefits, or legal options that can help you recover medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for the pain you have been forced to deal with.

The Crash Team is based in Sugar Land and serves clients across Texas. We understand how uninsured motorist claims work, how insurance companies try to avoid paying them, and what it takes to build a case that holds up under pressure.

If you are dealing with an uninsured driver, a hit-and-run, or a disputed crash, call The Crash Team today at 713-300-0000 or contact us online for a free consultation. We will handle the insurance process, protect your claim, and fight for the compensation you deserve as you focus on getting better.