What to Do If the Other Driver’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover All Your Bills

Being injured in a car accident is stressful enough—but when the at-fault driver’s insurance policy doesn’t cover all of your medical bills, lost wages, or property damage, the situation becomes even more overwhelming. In New Mexico, the minimum auto insurance coverage required by law is $25,000 per person for bodily injury, but serious accidents can lead to expenses far beyond that amount.

At Fusion Legal Group, we help accident victims throughout New Mexico explore their legal options when insurance coverage falls short. Here’s what you need to know—and how to protect your financial future.

Understanding Minimum Insurance Coverage in New Mexico

State law requires drivers to carry $25,000 in coverage for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident if multiple people are hurt, and $10,000 for property damage. While this may cover minor accidents, serious injuries—like fractures, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries—can easily result in hospital bills, surgeries, and rehabilitation costs that exceed $100,000, leaving victims wondering how to cover the remaining costs.

What Happens When Your Bills Exceed the At-Fault Driver’s Policy?

If the at-fault driver’s insurance policy doesn’t cover all of your medical bills, you may need to explore additional avenues for compensation, such as:

Filing a Claim with Your Own Insurance

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage

This optional coverage can help pay for medical expenses and lost wages when the at-fault driver has no insurance—or not enough.

• Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

MedPay helps cover immediate medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault.

• Collision Coverage

Helps pay for damage to your vehicle, though you may have to pay a deductible.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If your accident-related costs go beyond what insurance will cover, filing a personal injury lawsuit may be the most effective way to pursue full compensation. Through legal action, you can seek recovery for a wide range of damages, including past, present, and future medical expenses. 

These claims may also account for lost income, a reduced ability to earn in the future, pain and suffering, rehabilitation needs, and the long-term care required to regain your quality of life. An experienced attorney can guide you through this process, ensuring that every aspect of your losses is properly calculated and supported with evidence.

Identifying Additional Liable Parties

In some accidents, responsibility does not rest solely with the driver who caused the crash. Other parties may share liability, which can significantly increase the compensation available to you. For instance, a vehicle manufacturer could be held accountable if a defective part—such as faulty brakes or tires—contributed to the collision. Likewise, a government agency may be responsible if hazardous road conditions played a role, and an employer could be liable if the driver was operating a company vehicle at the time.

An experienced New Mexico personal injury attorney can thoroughly investigate your case, uncover every potential source of compensation, and ensure that no responsible party is overlooked.