Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
Getting into a car accident is stressful enough—but it’s even worse when the other driver doesn’t have insurance. Unfortunately, that’s a common risk on Oklahoma roads. According to national research, Oklahoma has the highest percentage of uninsured drivers in the country. This creates serious problems for responsible drivers who follow the law and carry insurance.
If you’re involved in a crash caused by someone without proper coverage, you could be left paying for medical bills, car repairs, or lost wages out of your pocket. This is why uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is so important—and why knowing your rights matters.
According to the Insurance Research Council, Oklahoma has the highest percentage of uninsured motorists in the United States, with an estimated 26% of drivers on the road lacking insurance. — Insurance Research Council, 2024
That means roughly one in four drivers in Oklahoma has no insurance at all. This number is much higher than the national average, making Oklahoma one of the riskiest states for traffic accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists.
Many other drivers only carry the legal minimum coverage. While it satisfies the law, it often falls short of covering the full cost of medical care or property damage after a serious wreck.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage helps pay your bills if you are injured in an accident caused by someone uninsured. Who does not have insurance? Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage steps in when the other driver’s insurance isn’t enough to cover your losses.
This type of coverage is optional in Oklahoma, but it’s one of the most important protections you can have.
Oklahoma’s minimum auto insurance coverage—25/50/25—often fails to cover the costs of serious injury accidents. Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection fills that gap. — Oklahoma Insurance Department
UM/UIM coverage can pay for:
Even if the at-fault driver takes off in a hit-and-run, UM coverage often still applies.
Oklahoma law requires drivers to carry a certain amount of auto liability insurance. But these minimums leave significant gaps in coverage.
Coverage Type | Oklahoma Minimum | Recommended (UM/UIM) |
| Bodily Injury (Per Person) | $25,000 | $100,000 |
| Bodily Injury (Per Accident) | $50,000 | $300,000 |
| Property Damage | $25,000 | N/A (Included in other coverage) |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist | Optional | Strongly Recommended |
While the law allows you to drive with the 25/50/25 minimum, most serious accidents involve much higher costs. Medical care alone can easily go beyond $50,000. If you’re hit by someone with no coverage or minimal limits, your own UM/UIM coverage becomes your safety net.
If an uninsured driver causes a crash, they may be financially responsible—but that doesn’t mean you’ll recover anything. Many uninsured drivers can’t afford to pay for their injuries, even if they’re found liable in court.
UM/UIM coverage allows you to file a claim directly with your own insurance company. But even this process can be challenging. Insurance companies may delay, deny, or underpay your claim, especially when large medical bills are involved.
That’s when a legal advocate can help protect your rights and ensure the insurer honors your policy.
For example, if you’ve found 20% at fault in a crash and your damages are $100,000, you’d receive $80,000. However, if the other driver has no insurance, it becomes more complicated.
If you file a UM/UIM claim:
A Tulsa uninsured motorist attorney can guide you through this process and help prevent the undervaluation of your claim.
The cost of the right auto insurance coverage will pale in comparison to a serious injury wreck without the coverage. — Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Most drivers are surprised to find that adding or increasing UM/UIM coverage is relatively inexpensive. For just a few extra dollars per month, you can protect yourself and your family from the financial stress of someone else’s irresponsibility.
Having coverage is one thing—getting your insurer to pay fairly is another. If you encounter problems with your claim or are unsure about your rights, consult a lawyer who regularly handles these types of cases.
File a police report, seek medical attention, and notify your insurance provider. If you have UM/UIM coverage, you may file a claim under your policy. Gather documentation and consider consulting an attorney if your insurer delays or denies your claim.
No, it’s optional. However, Oklahoma insurance companies are required to offer it. Due to the high number of uninsured drivers in the state, this coverage is strongly recommended.
Yes, you can sue, but recovering damages may be challenging if the driver lacks sufficient income or assets to compensate you. Even if you win in court, collecting compensation may not be possible without a source of funds.
Consider at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per Accident. This amount helps cover medical bills, lost income, and long-term care if an uninsured or underinsured driver seriously injures you.
Yes. In most cases, hit-and-run drivers are treated as uninsured. If you carry UM coverage, it should apply even if the offending driver flees the scene.
A lawyer can interpret your insurance policy, collect evidence to support your claim, handle all insurer communication, and push for a fair settlement when the insurance company resists paying what’s owed.
Driving in Oklahoma comes with added risk—especially when so many drivers don’t carry enough insurance. That’s why it’s essential to review your policy and make sure you have strong uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. It could make all the difference after a crash.
If an uninsured driver has already injured you, you may still have legal options. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers helps Oklahoma families recover compensation when insurance coverage falls short. We handle the legal details so you can focus on healing.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
