Legally Reviewed by Jae E. Lee, Esq. on August 11, 2026
A crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver turns a bad situation into a financial disaster. When the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs, you’re left scrambling to cover costs that should never have been your responsibility. According to the Insurance Information Institute, New Jersey actually has one of the lowest uninsured driver rates in the country, but that statistic offers little comfort when the at-fault driver only carries the state minimum, which is often nowhere near enough to cover a serious motor vehicle accident claim.
At Jae Lee Law, our Bergen County attorneys have spent over 30 years fighting for injured motorists who are hit by uninsured and underinsured drivers. We know New Jersey’s insurance laws inside and out, and we know how to maximize your uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to secure the compensation you deserve. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, we proactively fight for every dollar you’re owed.
Time-Sensitive — New Jersey Law Limits Your Window to File
Injured in Bergen County? New Jersey’s 2-year statute of limitations begins from the date of your accident. Missing this deadline ends your right to compensation.
Over 30 years of New Jersey personal injury experience. Millions in recoveries secured. Free consultation, no fees unless we recover for you.
What Are Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims?
Uninsured motorist claims arise when you’re injured by a driver who has no auto insurance at all. This includes hit-and-run accidents in Fort Lee where the at-fault driver flees the scene and cannot be identified. While these cases involve unique insurance hurdles, they remain a critical subset of the accident claims we handle across New Jersey, where enforcement gaps still leave some motorists driving illegally without coverage.
Underinsured motorist claims come into play when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover your full damages. If you suffered serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, the other driver’s minimum liability policy may be exhausted long before all your medical bills are paid. Your own UIM coverage steps in to bridge this gap.
Why Do Bergen County Drivers Need UM/UIM Protection?
Bergen County’s proximity to New York and its location along major highways create high-traffic conditions where accidents occur daily. Your UM/UIM coverage protects you whether you’re hit on your morning commute in Fort Lee or driving through Hackensack, regardless of what the other driver carries.
New Jersey Minimum Coverage Requirements (Effective January 1, 2026)
$35,000
Liability, UM & UIM coverage per person
$70,000
Coverage per accident
Set under rules issued by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Many drivers only carry these minimums. In a serious crash involving surgery, hospitalization, or long-term care, that amount can run out fast, leaving you to cover the rest unless your own UM/UIM coverage steps in.
The financial consequences of being struck by an uninsured or underinsured driver can be severe:
- Medical bills from emergency treatment, surgery, and physical therapy that add up quickly
- Ongoing care costs that continue well beyond initial treatment
- Lost wages that compound your financial stress when injuries keep you out of work
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs that further strain your budget
How Do Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims Work?
Filing a UM or UIM claim means pursuing compensation through your own insurance policy. While this might seem straightforward, insurance companies frequently try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. They may argue your injuries aren’t serious enough or claim you’re partly at fault for the collision. The steps below outline what a UM/UIM claim generally involves.
Report the Accident
Notify the police and your insurance company promptly so the accident is officially documented.
Gather Evidence
Collect photos of the accident scene, witness contact information, and complete medical records.
Submit Your Claim
File your claim with detailed documentation of every economic and non-economic damage.
Your insurance company will investigate your claim, but they profit by paying less. They may try to settle quickly for far less than your claim is worth, hoping you accept before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
What Damages Can You Recover in UM/UIM Claims in New Jersey?
New Jersey law allows injured motorists to recover various forms of compensation through UM and UIM claims. These damages fall into two main categories, outlined below.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and future medical care | Pain and suffering from physical discomfort and emotional distress |
| Lost wages and lost earning capacity | Loss of enjoyment of daily activities and hobbies |
| Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement | Long-term impact on relationships and quality of life |
| Out-of-pocket expenses for travel to appointments and hired household help | Disfigurement or permanent impairment in severe cases |
These damages often exceed economic losses in severe injury cases, making a proper calculation of economic damages in a personal injury case essential for fair compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Bergen County UM/UIM Claims
New Jersey gives injured motorists two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. That deadline applies to the underlying claim against an at-fault driver, but most UM/UIM insurance policies also require you to notify your own carrier of a potential claim on a much shorter timeline, sometimes within months of the accident.
Missing either deadline can permanently bar your recovery, so acting quickly protects your options on both fronts. You can review the general filing deadline through the New Jersey Courts statute of limitations FAQ, and our guide to car accident claim deadlines in New Jersey covers how these timelines apply in practice.
How Does Modified Comparative Negligence Affect UM/UIM Claims?
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule that can reduce your compensation if you share fault for the accident.
50% or Less at Fault
Your compensation decreases proportionally to your fault percentage.
More Than 50% at Fault
You cannot recover any compensation.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured motorists to reduce payouts. They may claim you were:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Distracted at the time of impact
Fighting these allegations requires a thorough investigation and substantial evidence. We immediately:
- Secure photos of the accident scene
- Obtain police reports
- Work with accident reconstruction experts, when necessary, to prove the other driver’s fault, the same approach we use on Fort Lee car accident claims
Frequently Asked Questions About Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims in Bergen County
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Jae Lee Law’s Bergen County UM/UIM Attorneys
Being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver should not cost you everything. Your UM and UIM coverage exists precisely for these situations, but insurance companies will not voluntarily maximize your benefits. You need attorneys who know New Jersey’s insurance laws, who have the trial experience to back up aggressive negotiations, and who treat every case with the proactive approach it deserves.
At Jae Lee Law, we handle every aspect of your uninsured and underinsured motorist claim from investigation through settlement or verdict. As one of only 3% of New Jersey attorneys certified by the Supreme Court, Jae Lee brings the trial credentials to back up every negotiation, and our multilingual team serves Bergen County clients in English, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian, with millions in recoveries secured on their behalf. Complete our contact form to get started, and let our team fight for the full compensation you’re owed.
