Most drivers are insured to protect themselves and because they know it is a legal requirement. However, sometimes, after a crash, it turns out that the negligent driver did not have insurance or did not have enough insurance to cover the costs associated with the injuries and losses of a pedestrian, bicyclist, or person in another vehicle. A prompt and thorough investigation can uncover this vital information. Getting an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney on the case as soon as possible can make a great difference in the ultimate outcome for someone who was injured or lost a loved one in such a crash.
Was the other driver in your car accident uninsured or underinsured? Your own uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may be where you find the funding that you need to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, do not expect your insurance carrier to be helpful as you pursue financial relief. Holland Injury Law, LLC, in St. Louis, is an aggressive, fierce defender of the rights of our injured clients in Missouri and Illinois. We have ample experience getting results.
Whatever the situation, it is essential to start right away pursuing the UM/UIM benefits that are rightfully yours if you were injured and the other driver in your crash was not insured or was underinsured.
St. Louis car crashes involving uninsured and underinsured motorists are more complex than other accidents because you can’t simply recover the full compensation you need by filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy. Either the driver doesn’t have liability insurance at all, or the insurance they do have isn’t enough to cover all of your expenses.
This means you’ll have to file a claim with your own insurance provider, sometimes in addition to filing a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. And you may also need to seek additional compensation from the at-fault driver directly by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
It’s also important to remember that even when you’re filing a claim with your insurance company, they are not on your side. All insurers want to pay as little as possible to accident victims. That’s why you need the help of an experienced car accident attorney.
Below, we have provided answers to some of the most common questions victims have about uninsured and underinsured motorist claims in St. Louis.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is required under Missouri law. Drivers must have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, which matches the minimum required limits for liability coverage.
However, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is not required. UIM is an additional coverage you can purchase to protect yourself in cases where the at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t cover all of your expenses.
It’s recommended that you purchase UIM coverage, given the high number of Missouri drivers who only have the minimum required amount of liability insurance. A severe accident causing significant injuries can easily involve medical bills and lost wages exceeding the minimum liability insurance requirements.
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you can seek compensation through your uninsured motorist coverage. This insurance treats hit-and-run drivers the same as uninsured drivers. When drivers can’t be identified, it’s impossible to file insurance claims against them, making them effectively uninsured.
In some cases, the police may eventually be able to identify the driver who struck you. If this happens and you still need compensation for your injuries or property damage that your UM coverage didn’t handle, you can file a claim against the driver’s liability insurance at that point.
Yes, you can sue the uninsured/underinsured driver who struck and injured you. However, that is generally the last resort for seeking compensation following a collision.
Your first option is always to seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If they don’t have insurance or if their insurance is limited, your next option is to file a claim with your insurance provider.
Only after exhausting these options does filing a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver make sense. Lawsuits are generally more involved than insurance claims, which is why you should always attempt to recover compensation through insurance first.
The St. Louis uninsured/underinsured car accident lawyers at our law firm can help with your case in various ways, including:
Our personal injury attorneys never shy away from a challenge. As soon as possible, we get on the trail of the relief that our injured clients deserve. Experience our uncompromising loyalty to the people we serve in Missouri and Illinois. Run with our pack and discover our true devotion to your full recovery.
For best results, schedule a free initial consultation soon. Call 314-888-7888 or email us to learn how our lawyers can help.
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