Got hit by an uninsured driver — dealing with my own insurance now and it feels weird

I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago — uninsured driver, my own UM claim, the whole awkward mess. Honestly the thing that surprised me most was how quickly my "friendly" adjuster's tone changed once I mentioned my symptoms weren't getting better. Get a lawyer. I wish I had from day one instead of month three.

I used to work claims for a major carrier and I'll be straight with you — those early calls where the adjuster asks how you're feeling? That's not small talk. They're building a record. If you say "a little better" even casually, that gets noted and can be used later to minimize your claim. You're not legally required to give recorded statements in most UM situations. I'd really suggest you stop chatting with her until you understand your rights better.

UM claims are where insurance companies really show their true colors. You've been a loyal customer paying premiums, and the moment you need them they treat you like the opposition. Because financially, in a UM claim... you kind of are. Don't let the friendly tone fool you.

Just so you know — in a UM bodily injury claim, your own insurer basically steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver and evaluates your claim similarly to how they'd evaluate a third-party claim against their insured. That means they have a financial incentive to pay you as little as possible. The process isn't inherently adversarial but it absolutely can become that way, especially once medical bills start stacking up. Keeping thorough records of every appointment, every symptom, every day you missed work is really important right now.

Please don't skip or delay that MRI your doctor is recommending. Neck and shoulder injuries from side-impact crashes can involve things that don't show up on standard X-rays, and if something is going on structurally, you want documentation of it sooner rather than later — both for your health and for your claim. Don't tough it out.

Not legal advice, but UM claims against your own carrier are genuinely more complex than most people realize going in. Courts in most states treat them like a contractual dispute rather than a tort, which changes some of the rules. If your injuries are ongoing and the MRI comes back showing anything significant, having someone in your corner who does this regularly is worth considering. Most PI attorneys take these on contingency so you're not out-of-pocket upfront.

Stop answering the adjuster's questions without knowing what you're agreeing to. You can be polite and still say "I'd like to review my policy before continuing this conversation." That's not aggressive, that's just smart. Also get that MRI done yesterday.