Chicago Uninsured Motorist Claim Attorney
When the driver who hit you has no insurance or cannot be found, your own uninsured motorist coverage steps in. We make sure your insurer pays what it owes.
If you were injured by a driver who had no insurance, too little insurance, or who fled and was never identified, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is what pays your damages. Illinois requires this coverage on every auto policy, and it is the backbone of nearly every hit and run claim.
There is a catch most people do not see coming. Even though the claim is against your own insurer, that insurer profits by paying you less. It will question your injuries, dispute how the crash happened, and lead with a low offer. You do not have to accept that offer, and you should not handle the claim without someone on your side.
This page covers what UM and UIM coverage are, how these claims work in Illinois, why insurers fight them, and how we secure full value. Our founding attorney, Scott Blumenshine, helped write the Illinois Insurance Code amendments that strengthened protections for UM policyholders, so this is an area we know from the inside.
What Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage Mean
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified, as in a hit and run. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage pays when the at-fault driver has some insurance, but not enough to cover your injuries.
Illinois requires UM coverage on every auto policy, and UIM coverage at the same limits unless you formally reject it. Both apply to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists struck by a vehicle, and they often extend to resident relatives.
Why Insurers Fight UM Claims
When you file a UM claim, your insurer becomes your opponent. Common tactics include:
- Disputing the severity or cause of your injuries
- Arguing there was no contact in a phantom vehicle case
- Offering a fast, low settlement before you understand your damages
- Delaying the claim past notice deadlines
Illinois law penalizes bad-faith conduct by insurers, and we hold them to it. We document your injuries thoroughly and present the claim in a way that is hard to dispute.
The Phantom Vehicle Rule
UM coverage applies to "phantom vehicle" crashes where the at-fault driver fled and cannot be identified. Illinois generally requires physical contact between the vehicles for these claims, though there are exceptions. If a driver ran you off the road without touching your vehicle, do not assume you have no claim. We can assess whether an exception applies to your situation.
How Often Are Drivers Uninsured in Illinois?
Uninsured drivers are far more common than most people expect. The Insurance Research Council estimates that about 16 percent of Illinois motorists are uninsured, slightly above the national rate, and that roughly one in three drivers across the country are either uninsured or underinsured. That means a serious share of the drivers on Chicago roads could leave you turning to your own policy after a crash.
This is exactly why Illinois requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and why it matters so much in hit and run cases. Insurance policies vary, and your specific coverage, limits, and exclusions depend on your policy documents. We review your actual policy as part of your free consultation.
How We Maximize Your Uninsured Motorist Recovery
A UM claim is won on documentation and persistence. We obtain the police report and crash evidence, build a complete medical record, calculate the full value of your damages including future care, and present a claim your insurer cannot easily dispute. Many UM policies require arbitration rather than a jury trial, and we are prepared for it.
Blumenshine Law Group has recovered results on uninsured motorist claims, including a $250,000 recovery for a victim with a severe wrist fracture and a $200,000 recovery for a victim whose lumbar disc injury was aggravated in the crash. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The compensation available in your case depends on your injuries, the available coverage, and other factors unique to your situation.
Get a Free Case Review
Tell us what happened. We'll review your case and explain your options at no cost, no obligation.
- Available 24/7, including nights and weekends
- Your call is answered any time and passed straight to our legal team
- No fee unless we win your case
How We Handle Your Uninsured Motorist Claim
Free Policy Review
We review your policy and every policy that may apply, and explain your UM and UIM coverage in plain language.
Meet the Deadlines
We give the insurer proper notice on time, protecting your claim from short UM notice windows.
Build the Claim
We document your injuries and damages fully so the insurer cannot dispute the value of your claim.
Negotiate or Arbitrate
We negotiate for full value, and we are ready for the arbitration that many UM policies require.
Related Hit and Run Practice Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have an Illinois auto policy, you are required to have UM coverage, and likely UIM coverage as well. You may also be covered under a resident relative's policy. We review every policy that could apply.
Because a UM claim costs the insurer money. Even though you pay for this coverage, the company has a financial incentive to dispute and minimize your claim. An attorney holds the insurer to its obligations and pushes for the full value of your claim.
Illinois law limits an insurer's ability to raise rates or cancel coverage for a claim where you were not at fault. A hit and run caused by another driver is not your fault.
Illinois generally requires physical contact in phantom vehicle cases, but there are exceptions. Do not assume you have no claim. We can evaluate the specific facts of what happened.
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation. The consultation is free.
