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A traffic accident can upend your life in a flash. In addition to the physical pain and psychological suffering that can follow a car crash, you may be left with savings-draining expenses. Eye-watering medical bills, combined with lost income or reduced earning capacity due to your injury, can be enough to keep you awake at night. For many people, the silver lining is that they can recover compensation for these losses from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
But what happens if the driver who caused your injury does not have sufficient insurance to cover your losses? What if they do not have any insurance whatsoever? These are not uncommon questions, as more than 16 percent of Missouri drivers are thought to be uninsured. However, before you despair, you should know that you could have options for recovering compensation even in these instances – options that an experienced Kansas City uninsured motorist claim attorney can help you explore.
At Holland Injury Law, LLC, we have more than three decades of experience successfully handling car accident claims of all kinds, including those involving uninsured and underinsured motorists. Our compassionate attorneys are ready to listen to your story, inform you of your options, and do everything we can to recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with an uninsured motorist claim attorney in Kansas City, and learn more about how we can fight for you.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist, one of the most vital things to remember is that Missouri requires all vehicle owners to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. As such, you probably have a UM policy, even if you do not realize it. The state mandates all car owners have an uninsured motorist accident policy with the following minimum amounts:
$25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
$50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
As such, if an uninsured motorist hits you, you can file a claim to recover compensation for your injuries up to the limits of your policy.
Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is similar to UM coverage, except that it steps in when an at-fault driver’s policy limits are too low to compensate you for the total losses they caused you. Unlike UM, UIM is optional in Missouri, and you’ll need to carry at least double the limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance for it to apply in your case.
Many accident victims are unprepared for the stress that can accompany filing a UM claim with their own insurance company. You might believe that, since you are their paying client, your insurer will make the process as straightforward as possible for you. The reality is often far more complex.
As a for-profit business, your own insurer will prioritize saving money over giving you the compensation you deserve. Working with a Kansas City uninsured motorist lawyer can provide you with the legal knowledge and negotiation skills you need on your side to achieve a favorable result.
Many accident victims are shocked to discover that their uninsured motorist coverage limits are inadequate to cover all crash-related expenses fully. When the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance and your own UM policy limits are too low, you may feel an overwhelming sense of despair.
However, you should not lose hope of recovering fuller compensation. Under certain circumstances, Missouri law allows accident victims to “stack” UM policies. This practice refers to combining multiple UM policies to effectively increase coverage limits. Stacking may be possible when you have multiple vehicles insured under the same UM policy or have multiple UM policies with separate carriers. The ability to stack depends on the specific policy language. An attorney can review your policy to determine the full extent of your coverage.
Additionally, an experienced Kansas City uninsured motorist attorney can negotiate to get insurers to raise settlement offers. We scrutinize claims to find other avenues for securing maximum compensation as permitted under Missouri laws and statutes.
Finally, it may become necessary to file a lawsuit against a liable party. Even without insurance, an at-fault uninsured driver is still financially responsible for the damages they caused in the accident. As such, you have the right to recover compensation for your losses by filing a civil lawsuit against the uninsured driver.
While recovering money from an uninsured defendant can be difficult, courts can order wage garnishments, bank account/tax refund seizures, or property liens to satisfy judgments. Lawsuits take time, effort, and resources, so working with an experienced personal injury attorney is essential. They can handle the litigation process for you while you focus on recovery.
While all car accidents are overwhelming and frustrating, being involved in one only to watch the at-fault driver speed away can be especially enraging. As someone who takes their responsibilities as a driver seriously, you might wonder how someone could possibly flee the scene of a traffic crash. However, such events happen far more frequently than you might imagine. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about 11 percent of all traffic collisions turn into hit-and-runs. More shocking still, an average of more than 30 hit-and-run crashes have resulted in fatalities in Missouri in recent years.
If you have suffered injuries in a hit-and-run crash, you can seek compensation via your UM coverage. Your Kansas City hit-and-run accident lawyer can also work with local law enforcement to locate the at-fault driver and hold them accountable for their wrongdoing. They may face serious criminal charges, and you may be eligible to file a civil claim against them for additional damages.
In many car accidents, parties other than the drivers are also involved in the crash. Sometimes, one of these “third parties” may bear some liability as well. These may include:
The driver’s employer, if the driver was performing work duties at the time of the crash
An auto part manufacturer, if a manufacturing or design flaw contributed to the accident
A mechanic, if they failed to diagnose or fix a problem with the car
A government body, if a pothole, downed tree, or other unaddressed adverse road condition played a role in the collision
A Kansas City uninsured motorist attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident to determine all liable parties. When more than one party is at fault for the accident, your chances of recovering full compensation may increase due to the possibility of filing claims against multiple policies.
Claims involving uninsured or underinsured motorists can be particularly challenging due to the extra variable of UM coverage limits. However, depending on the specific circumstances of your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:
Medical expenses
Lost wages due to missed time at work
Reduced long-term earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced Kansas City car accident lawyer can help you understand what compensation may be available for your claim.
The Kansas City underinsured motorist lawyers at Holland Injury Law, LLC, understand how stressful and overwhelming life can be after being hurt in an accident. Our team is here to help calm your nerves by pursuing every avenue for compensation available to you. Contact us today for a free consultation with an uninsured motorist lawyer in Kansas City, and let us take this burden from your shoulders.
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