If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance, your claim usually shifts to your own policy. In North Carolina, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is built into most auto policies, and it can pay for injuries and losses when the other driver cannot.
Why uninsured and underinsured crashes feel “backwards.”
When the other driver has proper liability coverage, you make a claim against their insurer. With an uninsured or underinsured driver, you still have to prove liability and damages, but you often do it through your own carrier’s UM/UIM claim process.
That creates two common problems:
- Your insurance company becomes the decision-maker on value and payout.
- The claim can start to resemble litigation sooner than people expect.
If you were hurt in a Greensboro wreck and suspect the other driver is uninsured, start by protecting evidence and getting the insurance information confirmed through the crash report (the DMV-349 form is commonly referenced in North Carolina).
Uninsured vs. underinsured in North Carolina
What “uninsured” means
Under North Carolina’s motor vehicle insurance statute, a vehicle can be treated as “uninsured” when there is no qualifying liability coverage, coverage is denied, or an insurer becomes insolvent in certain circumstances.
In practice, “uninsured” scenarios I see most often include:
- No active policy on the at-fault vehicle.
- Hit-and-run where the driver cannot be identified.
- Coverage denial because the driver was excluded or the vehicle was not covered.
What “underinsured” means
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their liability limits are not enough to cover your damages.
North Carolina has made UIM more broadly included in auto policies, including changes that took effect July 1, 2025 for new or renewed policies.
Quick numbers: why UM/UIM matters
You do not need “national statistics” to justify using your coverage. One uninsured crash is enough. Still, it helps to understand the scale of the issue.
Recent data points
- Estimated uninsured driver rate in North Carolina (2019): 7.4%.
- Estimated uninsured driver rate in the U.S. (2023): 15.4% (about 1 in 7).
- Combined uninsured or underinsured rate in the U.S. (2023): 33.4% (about 1 in 3).
What UM/UIM coverage can pay for after a Greensboro crash
UM/UIM coverage is designed to substitute for the at-fault driver’s missing or inadequate liability insurance. Depending on your policy and the facts, it may help you recover compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent injury and disability
- In some cases, property damage through related coverages (collision) and rental reimbursement
Your policy language and the statute control the details, including how limits apply and how the claim must be presented.
Steps I recommend if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured
1) Get the crash documented
Call 911. If police respond, get the report number and confirm the names and insurance information listed. That report often becomes a key piece of evidence when the insurer questions fault or coverage.
If you need the Greensboro accident report, the City’s resources can point you in the right direction for requesting records.
2) Get medical care and keep the records clean
UM/UIM carriers challenge causation and necessity of treatment. The most persuasive file is consistent: prompt evaluation, follow-up care, and complete documentation.
3) Notify your insurer early and be careful with statements
UM/UIM claims are still insurance claims. Adjusters look for “early” comments that can be used to minimize injuries or shift blame. You can report the collision without guessing about fault or downplaying symptoms.
4) Do not sign releases tied to property damage without understanding the effect
Some releases are broader than they appear. I have seen paperwork presented as “routine” that can create arguments later. If a document uses broad release language, get it reviewed before you sign.
How UM and UIM claims get complicated
You still have to prove liability
UM/UIM does not automatically pay because the other driver lacked coverage. You still have to prove the other driver’s negligence caused the crash and caused your damages.
That matters even more in North Carolina because contributory negligence can bar recovery if you are found even slightly at fault. A UM/UIM claim does not “override” that defense.
Policy limits and “stacking” issues
Whether you can stack UM/UIM limits depends on the number of covered vehicles, the policy structure, and how coverage is issued. Limit questions are technical, and the “right” answer is policy-specific. The statute and your declarations page matter.
Settlement timing and notice rules
UIM claims often require careful handling if there is an at-fault liability policy that will tender limits. If you settle improperly or fail to give required notice, you can create avoidable coverage fights. This is one of the most common ways a solid injury case becomes a difficult insurance case.
Where to learn more and how this ties to your Greensboro car accident claim
If you want a Greensboro-focused overview of car accident claims (deadlines, evidence, and what to do after a collision), I maintain information for victims from our Greensboro car accident lawyers.
That page is not a substitute for looking at your actual policy. UM/UIM is coverage-driven. The fastest way to get clarity is to review:
- Your declarations page
- The UM/UIM endorsement
- Any umbrella policy
- Any resident relative policies that might apply
Case results involving insurance disputes and serious injury
- $3.2 Million Settlement — Tractor-trailer lane-change crash, Davidson County, NC. Catastrophic neck injury case that turned on reconstruction and litigation pressure shortly before trial.
- $300,000 Jury Verdict (later bad faith settlement reported as $980,000) — Truck and motorcycle wreck, Forsyth County. The verdict followed a claim where coverage and UIM valuation were heavily contested.
- $230,000 Settlement — Ankle injury car accident, Guilford County. Coverage was disputed and the case was litigated for more than a year before resolution.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
Talk with a Greensboro car accident lawyer about UM/UIM coverage
If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Greensboro, the next step is usually a policy review and a plan for proving liability and damages. Contact Roane Law for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
About the Author
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and reflects the opinions of the author. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and results depend on the specific facts and applicable law. You should not act or rely on any information in this blog without first seeking advice from a qualified attorney regarding your individual situation.