Even careful drivers in Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Waukesha, and Brookfield can’t control what other people do on the road. When another driver causes a crash but has no insurance or not enough insurance, you could be left with painful injuries, missed work, and a lot of questions about how your bills will be paid.

 

That’s where UM/UIM coverage in Wisconsin comes in. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you when the at-fault driver can’t. Understanding these coverages — and how an uninsured motorist lawyer Wisconsin can help — can make a major difference after a serious collision.

Why Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers Are a Real Risk

Wisconsin law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone follows the rules. Every year, crashes occur in Milwaukee County where the at-fault driver:

• Has no auto insurance at all(uninsured)

• Carries only the minimum limits, which are too low to cover serious injuries (underinsured)

• Is driving a vehicle that isn’t properly insured or registered

With medical costs rising, even a short hospital stay or surgery can quickly exceed another driver’s liability limits. That’s especially true after serious injuries to the back, neck, or head. When that happens, your own UM/UIM coverage may be the only thing standing between you and a major financial loss.

What Is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage in Wisconsin?

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is insurance you buy on your own policy that steps in when the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance.

In Wisconsin:

• UM coverage is mandatory on every auto policy.

• Policies must include at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in UM bodily injury coverage.

• You can choose higher limits for better protection.

UM coverage can help pay for:

• Medical bills and future treatment

• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

• Pain, suffering, and other non-economic damages

If you’re hit in Milwaukee or West Allis by a driver who has no insurance, your UM coverage in Wisconsin is the primary way to pursue compensation. An uninsured motorist lawyer Wisconsin can help you file a claim and make sure your own insurance company treats you fairly.

What Is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage?

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver does have liability insurance, but not enough to fully cover your injuries.

For example:

• The at-fault driver has $25,000 in liability coverage.

• Your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages total $75,000 or more.

• Your UIM coverage may help fill the gap between what their policy pays and what you’ve lost, up to your UIM limits.

Key points about UIM coverage in Wisconsin:

• UIM is optional — you need to ask for it and choose limits that make sense for your family.

• The rules are technical, and your eligibility can depend on how your policy defines “underinsured” and how your limits compare to the at-fault driver’s limits.

• Insurance companies may argue that your UIM coverage doesn’t apply or is worth less than you think.

Because of these complexities, anyone facing an underinsured motorist claim Milwaukee should talk with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

How UM/UIM Coverage Works After a Crash

If you’re injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver in West Allis or the greater Milwaukee area, a typical claim might look like this:

1. Identify all insurance policies
   Your lawyer will look for every possible source of coverage, including:

   • The at-fault driver’s liability policy

   • Your own UM/UIM coverage

   • Any applicable policies for household members

   • Medical payments (Med Pay) coverage on your policy

2. Pursue the at-fault driver’s insurer first
   In an underinsured case, your attorney usually resolves your claim against the at-fault driver’s liability coverage before pursuing UIM benefits.

3. Present a UM/UIM claim to your own insurer
   When the other driver has no insurance, or their limits are too low, your attorney presents a claim under your UM/UIM coverage in Wisconsin. This involves detailed documentation of:

   • Medical records and bills

   • Lost income and work restrictions

   • Future treatment needs

   • Pain, suffering, and how the crash has affected your life

4. Negotiate or, if necessary, litigate
   Even though you’ve been paying premiums for years, your own insurance company may dispute the value of your injuries or whether UM/UIM coverage applies. An uninsured motorist lawyer Wisconsin can negotiate on your behalf and, when necessary, take the case to court or arbitration.

Common Myths About UM/UIM Coverage in Wisconsin

“I don’t need UM/UIM coverage. I have full coverage already.”

“Full coverage” is not a legal term and doesn’t guarantee you have strong UM/UIM coverage in Wisconsin. Many “full coverage” policies still carry only the minimum UM limits and no UIM at all. Serious injuries can easily exceed those amounts.

 

“UM/UIM only covers my medical bills.”

UM and UIM can cover far more than just medical expenses. They can also help compensate for:

• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Long-term or permanent disability

“The other driver’s insurance will be enough.”

Minimum liability coverage in Wisconsin is often not enough for serious injuries. When surgery, long-term therapy, or permanent impairment are involved, a single hospital stay can exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits. That’s exactly when underinsured motorist claim Milwaukee issues arise, and why UIM coverage is so important.

 

“I can handle a UM/UIM claim on my own.”

UM/UIM claims are often more technical than ordinary liability claims. Your own insurance company may:

• Rely on policy language to limit what’s owed

• Dispute medical causation or the extent of your injuries

• Argue that your UIM coverage doesn’t apply under its definition of “underinsured”

Having a West Allis personal injury attorney on your side helps level the playing field.

Why Talk With an Uninsured Motorist Lawyer in Wisconsin?

When you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, and time away from work, the last thing you need is a complicated fight with an insurance company — especially your own. Erdmann Law Offices, S.C., based in West Allis, represents clients throughout Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Waukesha, Brookfield, and beyond in serious motor vehicle cases, including UM/UIM coverage in Wisconsin.

An experienced attorney can:

• Review your auto policy to identify all UM/UIM and Med Pay coverage

• Explain how Wisconsin law and your policy language apply to your situation

• Handle communications and negotiations with the insurance companies

• Collect medical records, bills, and wage information to present a strong claim

• Advise you before you sign any releases or accept a settlement offer

Erdmann Law Offices has extensive experience helping people after crashes involving uninsured and underinsured drivers, and understands how to build strong cases under Wisconsin law.

Injured by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver? Contact Us Today

If you were hurt in a crash caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Waukesha, Brookfield, or nearby communities, you do not have to handle the situation alone.

 

A dedicated uninsured motorist lawyer Wisconsin at Erdmann Law Offices can help you understand your UM/UIM coverage in Wisconsin, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

 

Erdmann Law Offices offers a free consultation and is available seven days a week. We can meet at your home, in the hospital, or wherever is most convenient while you recover.

 

Call (414) 774-1111 to speak with a West Allis personal injury attorney who understands uninsured and underinsured motorist claims and is ready to help you and your family.