Lakewood Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Lawyer

Washington ranks among the top five states for uninsured drivers, with roughly one in five motorists on the road lacking insurance coverage. Many more drivers carry liability coverage, but only the bare minimum. When one of those drivers causes a crash, injured victims are often left wondering how they'll pay for medical care, lost income, and everything else that follows.

If you've been injured by a driver who lacks the coverage to pay for your injuries and losses, a Lakewood uninsured &  underinsured motorist lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation through your own insurance policy.

Filing a claim against your own insurer after someone else caused your injuries feels backward. You've paid your premiums faithfully, yet suddenly you're in a position where you have to fight your own insurance company to get the coverage you purchased. These claims are often more contentious than people expect, and the process is filled with deadlines, documentation requirements, and legal nuances that trip up even careful policyholders.

Working with a Lakewood UM/UIM claims attorney helps level the playing field and keeps your claim on track while you focus on getting better.

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Ye Law Firm’s Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Case Results

• $275K Policy Limit: Car Accident/UIM Settlement
• $250K Policy Limit: Car Accident Uninsured Motorist
• $250K Policy Limit: Car Accident Caused by Drunk Driver
• $210K Policy Limit: Pedestrian v. Car Accident/UIM Settlement
• $200K Policy Limit: Car Accident/UIM Settlement

What Is UM/UIM Coverage and Why Does It Matter in Washington?

Every Washington driver is required to carry liability insurance. The problem is that many don't follow the rules. According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 750,000 of Washington's 4.4 million drivers are uninsured, placing the state fifth highest in the nation for uninsured motorists.

Even drivers who do carry insurance often have only minimum liability policies. Under Washington's financial responsibility law, the minimum required coverage is $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 per accident. These amounts don't go far when a crash causes catastrophic injuries, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or wrongful death. Medical bills from a serious collision involving a trip to St. Clare Hospital or Madigan Army Medical Center alone can exceed those limits many times over.

That's when your own coverage becomes your safety net.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you when the at-fault driver carries no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage kicks in when the other driver's policy limits aren't enough to cover your full losses.

Washington’s underinsured, hit-and-run, and phantom vehicle coverage law (RCW 48.22.030) requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage as part of every auto insurance policy.

While drivers may decline this coverage in writing, most carry it without fully realizing its value until an accident forces them to use it. A Lakewood underinsured motorist attorney helps you tap into these benefits when you need them most.

Common Situations Where UM/UIM Coverage Applies

Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers happen every day on Lakewood's busy roadways. Along Interstate 5, at the Bridgeport Way SW and Gravelly Lake Drive intersection, near the Lakewood Towne Center, and on high-traffic corridors like Steilacoom Boulevard SW, collisions occur regularly. When the at-fault driver lacks adequate coverage, your own policy may be your only path to compensation.

UM/UIM claims typically arise in these scenarios:

• Hit-and-run accidents where the other driver flees and cannot be identified
• Collisions caused by drivers with no insurance or expired policies
• Crashes involving drivers whose minimum coverage falls short of your actual losses
• Pedestrians or cyclists struck by uninsured motorists near Gravelly Lake or Fort Steilacoom Park
• Passengers injured in accidents where the at-fault driver lacks sufficient coverage

Each of these situations presents unique challenges, but in every case, your own auto insurance policy may hold the key to the financial recovery you need. A Lakewood UM/UIM claims lawyer can review your specific circumstances and explain what coverage is available.

We Handle the Insurance Company to Maximize Your Recovery

Filing a UM/UIM claim seems like it ought to be simple. You're making a claim on coverage you paid for, after all. But insurance companies approach these claims the same way they approach any other: with an eye toward minimizing payouts.

Even though you're dealing with your own insurer, the process often becomes adversarial. Insurance adjusters may question the severity of your injuries, challenge your choice of medical treatment, or dispute the value of your pain and suffering. They may delay processing your claim, request unnecessary documentation, or make lowball settlement offers designed to close the file quickly.

Under Washington law, insurance companies have a legal duty to handle claims in good faith. But that doesn't mean they won't look for every possible reason to reduce your compensation. Having a Lakewood car accident attorney on your side sends a clear message that you understand your rights and won't accept less than your full and fair compensation.

What Compensation Is Available Through UM/UIM Coverage?

A serious car accident affects far more than your physical health. The financial ripple effects touch every part of your life, from your ability to work to your family's daily routine. UM/UIM coverage exists to help fill the gap when the at-fault driver's insurance isn't enough.

Depending on the facts of your case, compensation through your UM/UIM policy may include:

• Emergency room visits, hospitalization, and surgical procedures
• Ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
• Assistive devices, home modifications, and long-term care needs
• Lost wages during your recovery period
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous work
• Pain and suffering from your physical injuries
• Emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life

The amount you recover depends on your policy limits, the severity of your injuries, and how effectively your claim is documented and presented. A Lakewood uninsured motorist lawyer builds the strongest possible case by gathering thorough evidence, working with medical professionals to document your injuries, and presenting your claim in a way that reflects your true losses.

How a Lakewood UM/UIM Claims Lawyer Helps You Recover

After a serious accident, your time and energy need to go toward healing, not deciphering insurance paperwork or negotiating with adjusters. An experienced Lakewood underinsured motorist attorney lifts these burdens from you.

Attorney Chong H. Ye understands what families go through after a serious car accident because he watched his own parents struggle after they were injured in a crash. The lawyer they hired treated them like a number, forgetting about them once the paperwork was signed. That experience drives how he treats every client today: with genuine care, clear communication, and a commitment to making sure no one feels ignored or unsupported.

Born and raised in the immigrant community in Tacoma, Chong knows firsthand how confusing the legal system can be, especially when English isn't your first language. He offers services in English, Korean, and Spanish to make sure every client fully understands their options and feels confident in the decisions they make.

From your first consultation, your Lakewood car accident attorney will:

• Review your insurance policy and identify all available coverage
• Handle every communication with the insurance company on your behalf
• Gather medical records, accident reports, and documentation of your damages
• Build a compelling claim that reflects the full scope of your losses
• Represent your interests in negotiations with your insurer
• Take your case to litigation if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation

UM/UIM claims take time, but having a dedicated advocate in your corner makes all the difference when delays, denials, or lowball offers threaten your recovery.

What is the Deadline for UM/UIM Claims in Washington?

Washington law does not give you unlimited time to pursue a UM/UIM claim. While the deadlines may differ slightly from those that apply to a lawsuit against another driver, strict time constraints still apply under both your policy and state law.

Most insurance policies require policyholders to provide prompt notice of an accident and file claims within specific timeframes. Missing these windows puts your right to compensation at risk, regardless of how strong your case might otherwise be. Insurance companies routinely deny claims based on late notice, even when the underlying injuries are severe and well-documented.

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Washington (RCW 4.16.080) is generally three years from the day of your accident. Waiting too long to act gives the insurance company ammunition to deny or devalue your claim. Speaking with a Lakewood UM/UIM claims lawyer soon after an accident protects your rights and keeps all your options open.

Additional Legal Considerations in UM/UIM Claims

UM/UIM claims operate under contract law because you're essentially enforcing the terms of your own insurance policy. Unlike third-party claims, where you pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver's insurer, UM/UIM claims are considered "first-party" claims filed against your own carrier.

This distinction matters. Insurance companies owe their policyholders a legal duty to handle claims fairly and in good faith. When they fail to do so, they may face consequences under Washington's Insurance Fair Conduct Act (IFCA) or the state's Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 19.86 RCW).

Bad faith by an insurer might include unreasonable delays in processing your claim, denying valid claims without proper investigation, or offering settlements far below the actual value of your losses. Proving bad faith requires clear documentation and a strategic legal approach. A Lakewood underinsured motorist attorney not only handles your claim but also holds your insurer accountable if they mishandle it.

Common Mistakes That Can Harm Your Lakewood UM/UIM Claim

Even honest mistakes during the claims process reduce or delay compensation. Many injured victims don't realize how certain actions, or inactions, affect the outcome of their case. Avoiding these common pitfalls protects the value of your claim.

Mistakes that frequently derail UM/UIM claims include:

• Delaying medical treatment after the accident, giving insurers an excuse to downplay your injuries
• Skipping follow-up appointments, therapy sessions, or recommended treatments, which creates gaps in your medical record
• Failing to report the accident to your insurer within the timeframe your policy requires
• Providing a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster before consulting an attorney
• Neglecting to preserve key documentation such as medical records, wage statements, and accident reports

Working with a Lakewood UM/UIM claims lawyer from the start helps you sidestep these problems. Your attorney handles communications with the insurance company, guides you through the documentation process, and makes sure every step is completed correctly and on time.

Answers to Your Questions About Lakewood UM/UIM Crash Claims

What Sets Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers Apart?

When you've been hurt in a car accident and you're struggling to recover physically, emotionally, and financially, you need a personal injury lawyer who genuinely listens and treats your case with the care and urgency it deserves.

Attorney Chong H. Ye built Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers on a foundation of care, clarity, and justice. Growing up in the Tacoma area, he saw firsthand the fear and frustration that come from dealing with insurance companies and the legal system, especially for families where English isn't the primary language. His parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from Korea, suffered poor legal representation after their car accident, and that experience shaped how he approaches every case today.

Before becoming a lawyer, Chong spent nearly ten years in ministry, counseling and supporting families through difficult times. That background shows in how he treats clients: with patience, compassion, and respect. He walks alongside you through every stage of the claims process rather than leaving you to figure things out on your own.

Getting Started After a Lakewood UM/UIM Accident

Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers bring a unique kind of stress. You're injured, your bills are piling up, and the insurance company that's supposed to help seems more interested in closing your file than paying your claim. But you have legal rights, and you have options.

If you were injured in Lakewood or anywhere in Pierce County by a driver who lacked adequate insurance, Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers is ready to help you pursue the compensation you're owed. Whether this is your first call or you've already started the claims process and hit roadblocks, your Lakewood UM/UIM claims lawyer is prepared to step in and move your case forward.

Call our Lakewood office today at (253) 946-0577 or reach out online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. There are no upfront costs, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers handle the legal battle so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.

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