The party or parties responsible for your injuries are responsible for compensating you for your losses.  Your losses may include damage to your vehicle or other property, medical expenses, lost wages, pain & suffering, and other expenses you may have incurred as a result of your injuries.  Most responsible drivers have purchased liability insurance to pay these kinds of claims, but liability insurance may be purchased in varying amounts of coverage, and limitations on liability insurance coverage may prevent you from receiving adequate compensation for their losses.  It is therefore advisable to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM).  Your UM will pay you if the party at fault does not have enough liability insurance coverage to pay the full value of your claim.  UM insurance can also be purchased in varying amounts of coverage.