Real UM/UIM Claims. Real Results.
$750,000
UIM Claim
St. Louis County, MO
Our client was hit by a driver with minimum insurance. We uncovered multiple stacked UIM policies and fought back when the insurer tried to deny coverage.
$600,000
UIM Motorcycle Claim
Madison County, IL
A rider suffered serious injuries after being struck by a driver with only $25,000 in liability coverage. We pursued UIM claims and obtained the full available limits.
$875,000
Uninsured Motorist Claim
Jefferson County, MO
Our client was injured by a phantom driver who fled the scene. We proved the crash occurred as described and compelled the UM carrier to pay a full settlement.
“After my accident, the driver took off and I didn’t think I’d see a dime. Deme and Tom explained my rights, handled the insurance company, and got me a real settlement — fast. I can’t thank them enough.”
Why Choose Sotiriou Wilmowski for Your UM/UIM Claim?
We Know the Insurance Playbook
Before representing injury victims, our attorneys worked for the insurance companies that now stand between you and a fair recovery. We know how adjusters think, how they delay, and how they deny UM/UIM claims — because we were the ones advising them.
Real Legal Experience
You’ll work directly with experienced trial lawyers — not junior associates. We’ve handled complex uninsured and underinsured motorist cases involving hit-and-runs, phantom vehicles, and insurance coverage disputes.
Personal Support, Real Answers
We don’t keep you in the dark. We’ll walk you through your policy, explain your options clearly, and give you honest, strategic advice at every step.
No Fee Unless We Win
You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We cover the upfront costs of investigating your claim and dealing with your insurance company.
Trusted with Tough Cases
When other firms need help with difficult UM/UIM claims, they call us. We’ve resolved cases where others couldn’t — because we know how these policies are written, and how to challenge them in court if needed.
What Our Clients Say
The Sotiriou Wilmowski Insider Advantage™
We know how insurance companies think—because we used to work for them.
Deme Sotiriou used to defend UM and UIM claims on behalf of a major auto insurance company. She understands how insurers assess risk, challenge liability, and limit payouts. Now, she uses that same insight to hold them accountable when they don’t play fair.
Tom Wilmowski defended insurers across Missouri and Illinois in personal injury and UM/UIM litigation. He knows what they look for in claim files, what weakens their defenses, and how to build compelling cases they can’t ignore.
Why Our Experience Gives You the Edge
UM and UIM cases are technically complex — often more so than cases against third-party drivers.
We know the rules. We understand your policy language. And we’ve seen how insurers try to use that language against their own policyholders.
We’ve handled UM and UIM claims arising from crashes on Highway 40/I-64, I-70, I-270, I-44, and throughout Missouri and Illinois. We routinely work with victims treated at Barnes-Jewish, Mercy, and SSM hospitals.
We’ve Been in Their War Room — Now We’re in Yours
Our background gives you an unmatched advantage at every stage of the claim:
Put Our Experience to Work for You
This isn’t guesswork. It’s focused legal strategy built on years inside the insurance industry.
If you’re facing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, don’t go up against your own insurance company without backup. Get a team that used to work for them — and now fights for you.
That’s the Sotiriou Wilmowski Insider Advantage™
Injured by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?
Your Own Insurance Company Isn’t on Your Side — But We Are.
UM/UIM Questions? We’ve Got Answers
Not sure how uninsured or underinsured motorist claims work? You’re not alone — here’s what to know.
Types of UM/UIM Claims We Handle
You may not know your own coverage rights — but we do. We handle cases involving:
Phantom vehicle crashes (hit-and-runs)
Hit-and-run accidents—sometimes called phantom vehicle crashes—can leave victims with devastating injuries and no at-fault driver to pursue for compensation. In these cases, uninsured motorist coverage often becomes the only source of recovery. Insurance companies, however, may dispute whether a phantom vehicle existed or argue that the victim’s injuries aren’t covered. Our firm knows the tactics insurers use to deny or minimize claims, and we use our insider knowledge from defending these cases to prove liability and secure full benefits. We fight to ensure victims of hit-and-run crashes aren’t left paying the price for someone else’s reckless and unlawful actions.
Disputed coverage and bad-faith denials
Insurance companies sometimes deny valid UM/UIM claims altogether, insisting that coverage doesn’t apply or inventing policy loopholes to protect their profits. In some cases, their refusal amounts to bad faith, violating their legal duty to treat policyholders fairly. These disputes often leave injured victims struggling without the benefits they’ve paid for. Our firm knows how to hold insurers accountable when they act in bad faith. We investigate coverage disputes, expose wrongful denials, and pursue penalties when necessary. By combining legal skill with our background defending insurers, we make sure victims are not cheated out of the coverage they’re owed.
Pedestrian accidents involving uninsured drivers
Pedestrians struck by uninsured drivers often suffer severe, life-altering injuries. Without liability insurance from the at-fault driver, victims must rely on their own UM coverage or that of a household family member. Insurers, however, may deny or delay these claims, arguing about fault or coverage applicability. With our experience handling these disputes, we know exactly how insurers try to avoid paying fair compensation. Our firm builds strong pedestrian UM claims backed by thorough evidence, ensuring victims aren’t left with devastating medical bills and financial hardship after being struck by a driver who failed to carry required insurance.
Drivers with no insurance
When you’re injured by a driver without insurance, the financial burden can feel overwhelming. Without UM coverage, victims are often left facing medical bills, lost income, and pain with no obvious source of compensation. Even when you have UM coverage, insurers frequently delay, deny, or minimize payment. We know how to push back. Having once defended insurance companies, we understand the documentation and legal arguments that make them nervous. Our team builds strong UM claims to ensure you receive the benefits you paid for, holding your own insurer accountable when an uninsured driver causes a life-changing crash.
Crashes while riding in someone else’s car
Passengers injured in someone else’s vehicle may be entitled to compensation through multiple insurance policies. Determining which coverage applies—such as the driver’s liability policy, their UM/UIM coverage, or your own—can quickly become complicated. Insurance companies often try to shift responsibility between carriers, leaving victims in limbo. Our firm knows how to navigate these complex claims and identify every available source of compensation. With our background in insurance defense, we anticipate the arguments insurers use to avoid payment and build strong cases to counter them. We ensure injured passengers receive the benefits they need to recover fully.
Stacked policy litigation
Stacking allows accident victims to combine UM or UIM coverage from multiple vehicles or policies, often significantly increasing available compensation. Insurance companies frequently fight these claims, arguing that stacking is prohibited or that policy language excludes it. We know the fine print insurers rely on, and we’ve seen how they twist it to reduce payouts. Our firm has the skill and experience to challenge these arguments in court and secure every dollar of coverage available. By aggressively pursuing stacked policy benefits, we make sure clients maximize their recovery and are not forced to settle for less than they deserve.
Drivers with minimum limits that don’t cover your injuries
Missouri and Illinois drivers are only required to carry minimum liability insurance, which is often far too little to cover the cost of serious injuries after a crash. When your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s limits, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can step in to fill the gap. Unfortunately, insurers often fight these claims, arguing that your injuries aren’t as severe as documented or that coverage doesn’t apply. With our experience handling these disputes, we know how to challenge low settlement offers and secure the full amount you deserve. We make sure inadequate coverage doesn’t leave you financially devastated.
Passenger UM/UIM claims
Passengers injured in car accidents often face unique challenges when filing UM/UIM claims. Multiple policies may apply, including the driver’s, the at-fault driver’s, and the passenger’s own coverage. Insurers frequently dispute which policy is responsible—or try to undervalue injuries to save money. Having previously defended insurers, we know the strategies they use to minimize passenger claims. Our firm carefully documents the full impact of your injuries and pursues every available policy to maximize recovery. We fight to make sure passengers receive fair compensation, even when complex coverage disputes threaten to leave them without the support they deserve.
Wrongful death UM/UIM claims
Losing a loved one to an uninsured or underinsured driver is devastating. Families not only face emotional grief but also the financial burden of medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of future income. UM/UIM coverage can provide critical financial support, but insurers often dispute these claims to avoid large payouts. We know how to build strong wrongful death UM/UIM cases, using our experience defending insurers to anticipate their arguments and shut them down. Our firm fights tirelessly to hold insurers accountable, ensuring grieving families receive the compensation they need to move forward after a tragic and preventable loss.
Motorcycle-related UM/UIM claims
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in crashes with uninsured or underinsured drivers. The injuries are often catastrophic, and minimum insurance limits rarely come close to covering the damages. UM/UIM coverage is critical for bikers, yet insurers often argue against paying full benefits—sometimes blaming the rider or claiming the injuries exceed policy limits. We know how insurers approach motorcycle cases because we used to defend them. Our firm now uses that insight to fight for injured riders, ensuring their UM/UIM claims are fully honored. We help motorcyclists secure the compensation needed for medical care, lost income, and long-term recovery.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Every UM/UIM case is different, but here’s what you may be entitled to recover if the at-fault driver didn’t have enough (or any) insurance:
We Handle UM/UIM Claims Across Missouri and Illinois
We’re based in St. Louis but take UM and UIM cases throughout Missouri and Illinois — urban, suburban, and rural.