candid-tern-7825/10/2026

Drunk driver with no insurance totaled my car — now I'm drowning in next steps

I'm 22 and honestly feel like I'm in way over my head right now.

About two weeks ago I was driving home from work when a guy ran a red light and slammed into the driver's side of my car. Police showed up fast and it was pretty obvious the other driver was drunk — they arrested him right there. When the officer was asking him questions I heard him say something like he hadn't gotten around to adding insurance to the vehicle yet. So yeah. No insurance.

My car is totaled. I have whiplash, some bruising along my ribs, and my left shoulder has been killing me since it happened. I went to the ER the night of the crash and they referred me to follow up with my own doctor.

Here's where it gets complicated: I do have uninsured motorist coverage on my own policy, so that's something. But I have no idea how far that actually goes or what it covers exactly.

Also — and this is the part stressing me out the most — the at-fault driver is someone I've crossed paths with before through mutual people. Not a close friend, but not a stranger either. I feel weird about the whole thing socially, but like... he made the choice to drive drunk with no insurance??

I've had two different law firms reach out to me already. I don't know if I should work with one of them or just let my own insurance handle it. My shoulder is still not right and I'm wondering if I should be seeing more doctors before anything gets settled.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Specifically the uninsured part and knowing the person who hit you? Any advice helps.

9 replies

Most helpful first

brave-sparrow-6505/10/2026
Almost the exact same situation happened to me — drunk driver, no insurance, someone I vaguely knew through a friend group. The social weirdness is REAL and nobody talks about that part. What I'll say is: don't let the personal connection make you feel guilty for protecting yourself. He drove drunk. That's on him, not you.
candid-finch-2445/10/2026
Please do not just let your own insurance 'handle it' without understanding what you're agreeing to. Your insurance company is not your friend here even though you pay them every month. Their job is to close your claim for as little as possible. If your shoulder is still hurting, you do NOT want to settle before you know the full picture of what's going on medically. Once you sign off, that's usually it.
- tidy-swan-0835/10/2026
  The shoulder thing is what I'd focus on right now honestly. Soft tissue injuries from side-impact crashes can take weeks to fully show up — sometimes what feels like minor soreness early on turns into a rotator cuff issue or nerve problem that needs real treatment. Get imaging if you haven't already. Don't let anyone rush you toward a settlement while you're still symptomatic. Your body needs to tell the full story first.
- spry-dove-5455/10/2026
  I used to work claims. Here's what happens when someone has uninsured motorist coverage and a case like yours: the adjuster will be friendly, move things along, and make a number sound reasonable. What they won't tell you is that the offer is often based on your current documented treatment — not where you might be in 6 months. The shoulder alone could end up being worth way more follow-up care than you've had so far. Just be careful about timelines.
clear-elk-8505/10/2026
A few things worth knowing: your UM (uninsured motorist) coverage is a contract between you and your own insurer, so yes, you can make a claim there. But you may also have a claim directly against the at-fault driver personally — it's just harder to collect if he has no assets. An attorney consultation (most PI attorneys do free ones) can help you figure out which route makes sense. That doesn't mean you have to hire anyone, just get the info.
brave-tern-3325/10/2026
Not legal advice, but I'll say this: the fact that you know this person socially changes nothing legally. Liability is liability. What matters more right now is that you don't give recorded statements to any insurance company — including your own — without understanding what you're saying and why. And seriously, don't settle while you're still in active pain. That's the one thing I'd emphasize above everything else.
warm-finch-0355/10/2026
I just want to say the social awkwardness you're feeling makes complete sense, but you were the one who got hurt. You didn't do anything wrong. Focus on getting better and don't let the 'knowing them through people' thing cloud your judgment on what you actually need here.
humble-owl-1105/10/2026
Stop overthinking the personal connection — it's irrelevant to your claim. Get your shoulder properly evaluated before anything else moves forward. And if a law firm is pressuring you to sign fast, that's a red flag. A good attorney won't rush you.
steady-finch-4995/10/2026
What does your UM coverage actually cap out at? That number matters a lot for figuring out your realistic options here. Also — have you gotten a second medical opinion on the shoulder or just the initial ER visit? Those answers would help figure out where you actually stand.