Getting hit by a driver with little or no insurance can leave accident victims feeling overwhelmed and worried about who will cover their medical costs or lost wages. Unfortunately, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are more common in St. Louis than many people realize, especially on high-traffic roads like I-64/40, I-70, I-44, Kingshighway, and other busy streets where hit-and-run accidents occur.
It’s easy to feel lost as you juggle your own insurance policy, confusing paperwork, and financial uncertainty, all while trying to heal physically.
If you’re facing these challenges, a St. Louis car accident lawyer can review your coverage and explain your options.
Call us today at (314) 300-6260 for a case evaluation free of charge.
What Is an Uninsured Motorist (UM) Claim?
Uninsured motorist claims come into play in the following situations:
When the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance
Despite Missouri’s auto insurance requirements, many drivers don’t buy insurance. If you’re hurt in a crash with one of these motorists, you may have to make a UM claim under your own car insurance policy for losses and expenses related to your injuries.
Hit-and-Run Accidents May Also Trigger UM Coverage
UM coverage is also relevant when you are hit by another driver who flees the scene. These claims generally require witness statements, police reports, or other evidence showing that another driver caused the accident before leaving the scene.
What Is an Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Claim?
Sometimes the at-fault driver does have insurance, but not nearly enough to cover severe damages. That’s when an underinsured claim comes into play to help cover costs ordinary policies don’t pay.
For example, you are in an accident and need major surgery and months of recovery, leaving your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses at $100,000 (above the driver’s policy limits). In this case, UIM coverage may allow you to seek compensation through your own insurer for damages that exceed the at-fault driver’s available policy limits.
Missouri Requires Uninsured Motorist Coverage But Not Underinsured Coverage
Missouri law requires drivers to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on top of the other required coverages. This coverage is intended to help protect people who are injured by drivers who either have no insurance at all or flee the scene after an accident.
However, Missouri does not require drivers to carry underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Because serious accidents can easily exceed minimum liability limits, people without UIM coverage may still face major out-of-pocket expenses if the at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough to fully cover their damages.
Missouri Minimum Insurance Limits
Missouri requires vehicle owners to carry specific minimum insurance amounts to keep the roads safer for everyone. The minimum required auto insurance coverages in Missouri are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
While these coverages provide a small safety net if there’s a crash, higher-limit policies may be a good idea since serious accidents easily exceed these amounts.
What To Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
Getting into an accident is upsetting enough, but realizing the other driver doesn’t have insurance adds extra stress. If the driver stops and is cooperating, make sure you get their name and insurance information.
Do your best to document everything about the scene; take photos of the vehicles and any visible damages, get witness contact information, call 911 and speak with the police once they arrive on scene, write down details of what happened, and look around to see if you think there is any video footage of the incident.
You will also need to call your own insurance company as soon as possible to report the crash and find out how to proceed. Despite the fact that you are going through your own insurance company, UM and UIM claims can still become highly adversarial if the insurer disputes fault, injuries, or the value of your damages.
If you’re unsure about your next steps, or your claim gets complicated, reaching out to an injury lawyer in St. Louis experienced in uninsured motorist claims can help you understand your options and make sure you don’t take any wrong steps.
Contact our team today to schedule a free case evaluation.