Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyer in Bergen County, NJ

If you are injured by a driver whose insurance is insufficient to cover your losses, a Bergen County underinsured motorist claims lawyer from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can help you seek compensation from your own policy. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is a critical part of New Jersey auto insurance, governed by N.J.S.A. 17:28-1.1.

Understanding Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage in New Jersey

New Jersey law requires all auto insurance policies to include uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, unless you formally reject it in writing. This coverage is designed to protect you when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are too low to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An underinsured driver accident lawyer Bergen County relies on can explain that UIM coverage applies when the other driver’s limits are less than your own UIM limits and insufficient to cover your damages.

Last verified: April 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage | New Jersey Legislature

Official Legal Resources

For the official statute governing underinsured motorist coverage, refer to N.J.S.A. 17:28-1.1 (official New Jersey Legislature). For court procedures and forms, visit the Bergen Vicinage website.

handling a UIM Claim in Bergen County

Pursuing an underinsured motorist claim involves notifying your own insurance company and often negotiating against them. Insurers may dispute the severity of your injuries or the value of your claim. In Bergen County, these claims are typically handled through arbitration rather than a traditional lawsuit, but contested cases can proceed to the Law Division of the Superior Court.

1. Secure Your Claim: Report the accident to your own insurance company promptly, even if you also filed a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer.
2. Document Everything: Gather all medical records, bills, proof of lost income, and the policy details from both drivers.
3. Evaluate the Gap: Your UIM claim lawyer Bergen County will calculate if the at-fault driver’s limits are truly insufficient by comparing their liability limit to your total damages and your own UIM limit.
4. Formal Demand: Your attorney will submit a detailed demand package to your insurer, outlining your damages and the legal basis for UIM recovery.
5. Arbitration or Litigation: If a settlement cannot be reached, your case will likely go to binding arbitration. If arbitration fails or is waived, a lawsuit may be filed in Superior Court.

Why UIM Claims Require Specific Legal Knowledge

These claims are unique because you are essentially suing your own insurance company. They have a duty to act in good faith, but their goal is to minimize payout. A UIM claim lawyer Bergen County residents trust understands the specific rules, such as the “step-down” provisions that can reduce coverage for certain drivers and the need to obtain consent to settle with the underinsured driver.

Our Approach to Underinsured Motorist Claims

Founded in 1997, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings a focused approach to insurance disputes. We investigate the accident thoroughly, work with medical and economic professionals to document your full damages, and handle all negotiations and proceedings with the insurance company. Our goal is to recover the full compensation your policy allows.

While we do not have a publicly listed case count specific to Bergen County UIM claims, our firm-wide experience across New Jersey, New York, and other states informs our strategy for each client’s case.

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Our New Jersey location serves clients throughout Bergen County, including Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Bergenfield, Garfield, Mahwah, Ramsey, and Lyndhurst. We offer 24/7 phone consultations at (888) 437-7747. Meetings are by appointment only.

Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyer Bergen County FAQ

For more information, see our New Jersey Civil Litigation overview. We also assist clients in nearby areas like Atlantic County and with related matters such as contract disputes in Bergen County.

Page last verified: 2026-04. Laws and procedures change. For current guidance on your underinsured motorist claim, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.